Hello and welcome back to the next exciting chapter of Radioactive Dawn. First let me give my apologies for not updating in quite a time. There are of course reasons but I know you all do not want to here them.
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John Walker was blinded by light as he was stretched from one place to another. The seconds felt like years as his body was jumbled through space until finally, with a cold shiver, he felt himself solid and still. He opened his eyes and saw only a deep darkness that hurt his eyes. Without prompt his pipboy lit up revealing a grim and dirty room. While he was thankful for the light, he hoped that his pipboy was not malfunctioning and going to start acting on its own.
"Thanks for the light, " said Sergeant Allimer gruffly. John could see that the large man had a green and uneasy look on his face from their trip, and it was a feeling they both shared. In attempt to take his mind off the disorientation he looked around the room. Dust that they had disturbed glistened in the artificial light. The room appeared to be a lab with computers and screens spread around. It had a cold, hard metallic look Walker was all too familiar with from his travels.
"So where do we go from here?" asked John when he felt he could talk without emptying his stomach.
"I don't know," answered the Sergeant. "Aria said the Enclave were here recently but this place hasn't been touched in years. I don't think we are in the right place."
"Incorrect Sergeant," came Aria's voice from Walker's pipboy to his surprise. "Enclave forces most definitely have the main teleporter station under guard. This is a secondary location within Big Mountain used for initial testing. It is not as refined as the main station which would account for any disorientation you both may be experiencing. Fortunately it will subside momentarily. I sent us here intentionally. I am glad that it was operation and able to handle the transition, but the pad will not be able to be used again without repair."
"Wait, you mean you didn't know if we would even be able to make it here?" asked the Sergeant with a ring of nervousness in his voice.
"Nothing is certain, Sergeant" responded the AI.
"How did you manage to fit into my pipboy, Aria?" asked John breaking a growing tension between the AI and Allimer. "I would think that it is a little to primitive to hold you."
"During your time in stasis it has been upgraded numerous times by House," answered Aria. "It has more than enough room to hold me."
"Shouldn't you have stayed back with the rest of the team?" asked Allimer.
"I left a copy of myself that is more than capable performing the required duties," said the AI. "I felt that I would be of more use here than a copy." Allimer frowned at her comment but kept silent.
"So where do we go now?" asked John.
"I can detect no power in this section of the facility, Courier," said Aria. "I will require your assistance in order to access the facility proper."
"What do I need to do?" he asked.
"You pipboy has the ability to wirelessly transmit power to an unpowered interface allowing me to access it. I simply need you permission."
"Then you have it," said John. Silence reigned for a few seconds until light exploded into the room from above along with a low electrical hum. Both John and Allimer shielded their eyes to the new light.
"Power to this section has been restored," announced Aria. "Unfortunately according to the facility's log, this section has experienced severe damage. The door in the center of the northern wall offers the only clear route to our destination. However, it is damaged and will have to be manually unlocked."
"I believe that is where I come in," said Allimer as he began to walk towards the exit. He brought out a small tool kit from one of his many pockets and knelt in front of the door to begin working. John hoped he would be able to get it open in good time.
"Courier," said Aria. "I am going to take my leave and investigate the facility proper. It has suffered extreme damage and it will take time to gain control of its systems. If you need me, all you have to do is call. I will be monitoring your situation. Before I begin, note that on your pipboy's screen at the top right corner there is a blue icon. If it is a solid circle, it means that I am here solely. If it is a hollow circle it means that I am transmitting into another system and if it is not there it means I am not here. Just so you know, Courier." With that she began her work and John noticed that small hallowed blue circle on his screen.
As Aria went on her way and the Sergeant worked, he felt somewhat useless just standing around. Knowing that he could not really do anything useful, he decided to investigate.
"How's it coming Sergeant?" asked John as he walked up beside the working man. The faceplate to the door's panel was on the floor and Allimer was lightly using his tools on inside while monitoring it with his pipboy.
"Not too good," responded the Sergeant. "But it should only take a few minutes. It really took a beating during the Fall."
"Speaking of that Sergeant, I have to admit that I'm a little lost to what exactly has gone on during my time, uh, away. Blue aliens, lizard aliens, hell, aliens in general not to mention the what I have seen so far of Earth. So I gotta ask, what in the world happened since I have been away?"
"That's a long story, Courier. I don't think we have the time for it."
"Well then," said John. "I will try to keep my question short." The feeling of being completely ignorant to what had happened weighed heavily on his shoulders. It was not a feeling he intended to maintain. "So, back at the Vault Aria mentioned the Union, Vegas, NCR and the Brotherhood. I am familiar with all three except the Union. What is it?"
Allimer looked at John and gave a small sigh with a slight grin before answering. "The Union was partnership between the NCR, Brotherhood and Vegas. It dealt with managing mutual military defense between the three nations. It was led by the Board, which had three seats each held by the leader of each of the three nations. It was meant to encourage cooperation and avoid war between the three."
"Alright, so in my time, we had fully established Vegas as a power, and the NCR already existed, but I thought the Brotherhood was on its last legs," said John. "How did it obtain such a position of power?"
"First of all let me say I am a Brotherhood citizen," said Allimer with a triumph of pride in his voice. "I can assure you that the Brotherhood was anything but on its last legs, even in your time. True the Brotherhood you knew was failing but over the course of its existence after the Great War, some left the west coast for other places around North America. In your time, while the West Coast Brotherhood was stagnating, those on the East Coast, Midwest and Texas Brotherhoods were flourishing."
"I remember hearing some rumors of forces towards the east causing a stir," said Walker. I guess it was them?"
"It was. Those three factions banded together and even defeated Caesar's Legion," said Allimer to John's surprise. "After that they formed the Brotherhood Federation. Until the Fall, they were the dominant military power in the Union. The Federation and Vegas had a good partnership when they were around." Allimer spoke with a note of sadness as though speaking of a long lost friend.
"What about Vegas and the NCR, how did they turn out?"
"Well, Vegas turned out fine. It was the smallest of the three, but it was the most advanced, both tech wise and economically. I think you would have liked it, it was very laissez faire. People could live their lives as they saw fit without the restraints of what others thought was best. I guess that's what let the Brotherhood and Vegas work so well together. But Vegas, actually House and his company, gave humanity the technology it needed to not only repair the planet but spread to others. The best ships and tech came from Vegas. Plus they threw the best parties, especially in New Vegas." Allimer said with a huge grin. Walker figured he must have known from personal experience.
"And the NCR?" asked John.
"Well, they didn't do so fine. They were the biggest and the most populace, but the weakest. There was constant infighting within their government, everyone fighting for control. Right before the Fall it was starting to get bad. NCR colonies were starting to rebel. There were a few big rebellions, and the NCR put them all down, and trust me, they were beyond bloody."
"Why was it so bad in the NCR?" asked John.
"The NCR was the complete opposite of the Brotherhood and Vegas. Those in power only wanted power, and at their peoples expense. Regulation out the yin yang. That and the taxes made it impossible for anything but the larger corporation to operate in the NCR. Hell, they forbid their citizens to emigrate to another country unless they could fork over a fortune. Most of the population was poor, and I mean really poor. The whole nation was a hairsbreadth from going down the toilet, but there was some hope, especially with their new President, Manning. Oh well on that one though."
As he listened to the Sergeant talk as he worked a thought crossed him. "Sergeant, you spoke of the NCR, Vegas, and the Brotherhood, but what about the rest of the world?"
"There wasn't really anyone else," said the Sergeant.
John gave him a confused look. "Surely others had to have survived, had to have rebuilt?"
"Thanks to the Enclave they didn't have the chance," said the Sergeant deadpan.
"What do you mean?"
"I know that what information you had back in your time about the world was limited compared to ours, but the rest of the world didn't fare as well as us." Allimer paused as he fiddled with his pipboy, making a few adjustments. "I'm sure you're familiar with the Resource Wars?" John gave a nod. "Well because of it, the only nations that managed to remain with any real power were the U.S. and China. The USSR managed to hang on too, but not by much. Anyway, the economies of every other country was junk, they couldn't afford a pot to piss in. When the Great War came, no one was really prepared for that level of destruction?"
"And how is the Enclave responsible?"
"The Enclave only cared about power, and they did not want to share it with anyone. They world was in a weak state and they saw an opportunity to take control. The Enclave ordered its personnel to evacuate to safe havens around the country. They had most of the military under its control and on the day they ordered nuclear strikes to be carried out around the world."
"So they started the Great War?" asked John. Allimer gave him a nod. "But, the Enclave was powerful, but it was still only a part of the government. Didn't anyone try to stop them?"
"The Enclave had most of the military under its control, but not all of it, and not all of the government. When they ordered the strikes, some of the targets were on American soil, Primarily Washington, D.C. and military installations not loyal to them. Soon after China and the rest of the world responded and the nations entered a nuking spree."
"But why would they do that? What did the Enclave accomplish by starting a Nuclear War at the cost of that level of devastation?"
"Because they planned on being the only one prepared for it. They brought down the destruction because they believed they would come out on top and without competition"
"But they didn't?" asked John.
"Nope, China was preparing for it too. The nuclear exchanges were not the Great War, it was only the beginning of it. For years after it the Enclave and Chinese forces fought in the air, sea and on land. It was close, but eventually the Enclave managed to win. We don't really have many records on their little war, mostly just evidence that it was fought, but we know that it drained the Enclave of their power. They started the war with a decent air presence and a few fleets but ended it with only a few subs and ships and hardly any aircraft. But just as they ended the war, they found another threat."
"And what was that?"
"A few nations managed to build their own vaults, and just barely," continued Allimer. "There were only five, and they were all in Europe. England, France and Germany all managed it, with England having three of them. During the time that the Enclave and Chinese were fighting they began organizing and working together. When the Enclave won their war, they were in a bad state and the Europeans were beginning to rebuild up their own forces. Understand that it was nowhere near what they had before but they managed to keep a few subs active after the war and a few planes stored safely. The Enclave saw them as a threat and destroyed them."
"How did they managed to do that?" asked John. It was a interesting tale to him. He had not realized that so much still went on after the bombs fell. To most the dropping of the bombs signaled a standstill for human activity for the most part. Yet while most of the world suffered, starved, mutated or found themselves locked up inside, there were others still fighting over a world in ashes. It was sad.
"When the Enclave began the strike, it was done in surprise and happened so fast that no one really knew what had happened, or who had started it. The Enclave were able to fool the Europeans into thinking they were an ally. The Enclave sent them supplies, offered help and information and blamed the Chinese for starting the attack. Either out of ignorance of the truth or desperation, the Europeans accepted their help. The Enclave was allowed access to the European vaults as an ally, and then sabotaged them. From what we gathered it was suicide attacks, with a few guys fitted with small nukes that went in to the reactor level set off their bombs. They weren't powerful enough to outright destroy the vaults, but powerful enough to make them uninhabitable.
"The vaults in France and Germany went down together, but the Brits somehow found out and only lost one vault to the initial attack and the other two were damaged. The Enclave seeing that the Brits were weak launched an ground attack on them and targeted their subs. The Brotherhood were the initial ones to reach Europe and they documented the battle sights in England, which we studied back in the day. The Brits put up one hell of a fight. The initial team that was studying the sights found a bunch of Enclave remains scattered around the area. Unfortunately the Enclave were successful but England held more people than most places around the world and from what their descendents say, the English held off the Enclave so that their people could escape the damaged vaults with enough supplies to make a difference"
"And there were no other survivors?"
"Oh, there were survivors scattered all around, but not like here in North America. What the radiation didn't kill, it mutated. Few were left unscarred by it. But of course eventually, the three nations rose and swept across the globe, saving those that there were and that wanted to be saved. Eventually, as our tech improved we were able to repair most of the planet, turn it into something that hadn't been seen in hundreds of years. Before we knew it we were going to the stars. House put a man on the Moon and on Mars. There, we found ruins of an old race of aliens, we call them Protheans. A shocker to us but it was an advanced race and we used what we found to improve ourselves further. Then a few years later we discovered the Mass Effect Gates. They were built by the Protheans and stretched across the galaxy. We used them to expand and things went well until we met the Citadel races."
"And those are the guys we went to war with?" John knew he was just getting a quick recap of everything, but what little he heard was blowing his mind. Even still he knew he had a lot more to learn.
"No, they are the guys that went to war with us." Allimer fiddled again with the panel frowning as the seconds passed. "They attacked us out of the blue and there were so many of them. Surprisingly we were stronger than they were, but they had a lot more people and ships. They wanted to control us, to keep us in check and have our tech, but we said no. For that they attacked and pushed us back, incorporating our technology into theirs along the way. Eventually they pushed us back to our home system. They just outnumbered us too much. But then things went from bad to worse.
"While they were at our doorstep President Manning of the NCR was killed and the NCR blamed the Brotherhood for it, stupidly, I add. They mutinied our ships and started attacking us, creating our own personal war amongst ourselves. As that was going on a virus hit our defensive network shutting it down putting a big red target on our collective asses for the Citadel forces. After that our time was limited. Over the course of a month the Citadel advanced and eventually there was nothing left for them to fight. With Earth lost and our forces destroyed, they declared victory and rounded up all the humans left in this system on Mars like cattle."
"And that's where the Coalition comes in," assumed John. "To break free?"
"Yeah," said Allimer as he put away his tools and put back on the panel's faceplate. "And trust me, they aren't the best but they're the ones in charge." As he put the panel back on, It glowed red with light. "Do your magic," he said to Walker motioning to the panel.
"Aria, anything new?" John asked Aria hoping that in the last few minutes she had found information they could use.
"Yes," responded the AI. "There are fifteen Enclave personnel in the facility. Six soldiers and nine technicians. Within the last few hours they have activated the facility's archives and brought the fabricators online to recreate the Key's shell module. I estimate that they will be completed within a few hours."
"Then I suppose we best hurry on up," said John. "What do you say Sergeant, ready for a tour of the facilities?"
Allimer gave him a grin and brought his plasma rifle up to bear. "After you, Courier."
John waved his hand over the panel and the door slid open. Lights flickered in the hallway as both men began their way to secure the Key's core.
-)(-
Captain Lorrie Baker and her men watched on the monitors in Research and Development section of the Vault as the initial defenses outside the Vaults main entrance began firing onto the incoming Enclave.
"Uh, do you think this is the best place to hole up for a defense, Skipper," asked Corporal Leroy as he nervously looked around the open room.
"We have no choice, Corporal," answered Lorrie. "This is the only place where Walker and Allimer can return with the shell. We have to keep this location secured until they do." She could feel the weight of the Key's shell strapped safely in its case in one of her side pockets as she looked around the room. It was a decent room to play defense and anywhere that could be more properly secured with their few number was further into the Vault and away from this room. The Vault was designed to be kept secure in the event of a breach with only a few men, but her team was just too few for even that. Furthermore they were not equipped to deal with such a large and heavily armed number of enemies. Thankfully, while the room was open, it also only had one entrance, minus the teleporter behind them. They could also sabotage the lift and collapse the lift way if the enemy broke through into the Vault, and harass them all the way down to their location with automatic defenses. It was the best place to hold for time and whittle down the enemy. And if all else was loss, she could always jump through the teleporter with the Key's core and meet up with Allimer and the Courier and figure out another plan.
She watched as the turrets and the Enclave soldiers exchanged fire. Two bright flashed lit up the monitor and the firing stopped. Dust swirled around on screen and through it stepped through a lone soldier. On his shoulder in contrast with his black armor was a gold star over three gold bars, an Enclave rank for a commander. The commander had a sleek rifle on his back with a pistol in one hand and a small grey stone like device in the other. Baker watched him walk up to the Vault's door and place the device on it. He backed away a nothing happened.
"What the hell is that thing," asked Private McKinley. "A bomb? I don't think that will work on that door."
Baker heard Leroy suck in a sharp breath and she turned to look at the troubled Corporal. "That's a nano bomb," he exclaimed in disbelief. "Are they fucking crazy?"
"What's a nano bomb," asked Callaghan, Baker's XO.
Before Leroy could answer a light flash shimmered on the monitor and the thick door guarding the fall disintegrated and fell to the floor in piles of dust.
"The Vault has been breached," warned Aria. "Hostiles are headed toward the lift. Engaging internal countermeasure. Standby."
Even far down below the entrance, Lorrie could her the echo of weapon fire coming inside the Vault. "Aria, pull up a map of the Vault showing the enemy's location," Lorrie ordered. Another monitor came to life next to the one showing the live feed of the engagement. It showed twenty red dots just inside the entrance with a capital "E" on each one. Luckily they were being held at bay but she knew it would not be for long.
"McKinley, Yankers, Jenkins, move to cover the lift access. It is the only access to this level, all other access points are already destroyed from before. Set up explosives just in case we need to blow it," she ordered. "If they make it through to this level, then we can bottleneck them there." She turned to her XO. "Callaghan, go with them. Keep them straight."
He gave her a "yes ma'am and went after the two marines bringing out his side arm.
She saw another explosion as one of the defense turrets bought it.
"Aria, how much time do you estimate before they make it down here," asked Doctor Hammond.
"One half hour at least," responded the AI.
"Fuck it," said Leroy loathingly. "Well at least it can't get any worse," he said in an attempt to brighten the grim atmosphere."
"Captain Baker," said Aria. "Two Enclave drop ships just unloaded twenty more armored units. Time estimated has been reduced to fifteen minutes."
"You were saying, Leroy," said Hammond sarcastically.
"Aria, are they any better defenses you have that we could use?" asked Hammond.
"Negative Doctor Hammond. During the Enclave's initial attempt at a takeover, most systems were damaged in attempt by Union forces to thwart the Enclave. The only other system I have available is the Vault's self destruct. It should be possible to repair the damaged systems but it will require parts not found within this facility. I am sorry Doctor."
"You're not the only one," responded Lorrie. She looked around the room as she felt the desperation of an unbeatable force forming above. "Aria, is there any way all of us can go through the teleporter to the other side?"
"There is Captain," said the AI.
"Why didn't you say so earlier," asked the Doctor.
The AI was silent for a few seconds before responding. "This facility has suffered numerous damages during the Enclave infiltration and because of it. Pushing the Vaults reactor to a level that could accomplish your task in its current condition would cripple that Vault's energy network. The reactor will fail and there will be no way to return to this facility unless the reactor is repaired. For all intents and purposes, you will be on a one way trip."
"Is there any other viable alternative for us to beat this force," asked the Captain.
"As heavily armored and equipped as they are and the state of this facility's defenses, there is no foreseeable alternative for you to evade capture or death apart from using the teleporter.
"Then that is all we can do," said the Captain. "How long until the teleporter is ready to use?"
"It will take a few minutes for the teleporter to be powered to necessary capacity."
"Then we will hold for a few minutes," said Leroy with a nod from Lorrie and Hammond.
"Captain, Enclave forces have reached the lift and are attempting to access," informed the AI.
Lorie activated her comm. "Callaghan, are the explosive ready," she inquired.
"Yes ma'am," responded Callaghan. "On your order."
"Blow them," she ordered calmly. The cold sweat she could feel on her back betrayed her demeanor.
"Standby," said Yankers. A few seconds later a deep thunder rumbled through the floor and walls as the lift and its way was destroyed.
"Lift is nothing but rubble Captain," reported Callaghan. She was relieved to hear that at least something was going according to plan.
"That should hold them back," she said. She watched the live feed of the Enclave. They appeared to be frustrated at the destruction of the lift. She watched as their commander looked around while his soldier began spreading out. He took out his side arm and began firing at various points in the room. The last shot she saw fired was aimed at their monitor, and the feed went blank.
"Aria, what are they doing?" Lorrie asked. While the other monitor displayed their location, it did not tell as to what they were actually doing.
"I do not know, Captain," responded the AI. "They have destroyed my direct monitoring capacity and have begun disrupting my sensors." The AI went silent for a few seconds. "Captain, they have just breached Level Two. Sensors on the level are now starting to jam. It seems they came through Level One's floor to access the lower level."
"How?" asked Baker. She turned to Corporal Leroy. "Another nano bomb?"
"Most likely, Cap," he answered.
"What exactly is a nano bomb," asked Doctor Hammond.
"It uses nanites to dissolve the bonds of a material," said Leroy. "It's heavy stuff. I know that we have experimented with it, but if one thing goes wrong with that bomb then the nanites will keep spreading, multiplying and dissolving until everything it can reach is destroyed. People, building or earth, it really doesn't matter to it. It's a regular Doomsday Weapons, Doc." Hammond made an audible gulp as Leroy filled him in.
"Aria, where will they be dropping in if they keep coming down like that?" asked Lorrie.
"They will be dropping down in this room just before the exit, Captain."
A line of curses ran through Lorrie's mind. Not only did the Enclave out power and outnumber them, but they were going to be coming in right on top of them. They would have been better off just letting them come down the lift way. She looked back at the teleporter pad. For a fleeting moment she thought of just going through it without her team, abandoning them here to their fate at the hands of the Enclave, but that thought sickened her. She knew that she could not let the Key's shell fall into the hands of the Enclave. Even if the Enclave could replicate the shell in Big Mountain or somewhere else, every second counted. She might have to abandon her team, she knew that out of all of them she was the most important to the Human resistance, but it would only be when there was no other alternative. Besides, if she abandoned the injured Asari, who knew what Walker would do to her.
"Aria, is there any to contact Walker and Allimer?" she asked. "We need to inform them of the situation and that we will be coming through."
"Please wait," said the AI. "I have detected that the Courier's pipboy is tied into Big Mountain's systems. It should be possible to contact him through it. However any other forms of communication would not be possible due to the state of the facility as well as this one. However, I would suggest a text transmission instead of an audible one, Captain."
"We can't afford for him to miss it," said Captain Baker. "Patch me through directly."
"Very well, Captain," said Aria as she began the patch.
-)(-
John motioned for Allimer to stop. In front of them was a lone Enclave soldier with his back towards them. His helmet was off and in his hand as he moved his neck around for relief. It would be an easy kill.
John slowly moved closer to the soldier, drawing out a heavy knife that came with his armor. Silent as a mouse, he came up just behind the soldier.
"Walker, come in," boomed the voice of Captain Baker from his pipboy. The Enclave soldier jumped and spun around to face the sound. Anger coursed through his eyes as they found John with his drawn knife. John moved to strike with the knife but the soldier knocked his hand down with the ease of super human strength granted to him by his armor. Then the soldier slammed John with this helmet throwing him back a few feet. The soldier began to place his helmet back on, he knew it would only be another second before he radioed for help. Just before the soldier was able to, he twitched and fell to the floor. He looked at the fallen man and saw a shining knife jutting from where one of his eyes were. Allimer up from behind him and over the dead soldier, reclaiming his knife.
"Best to see what the Captain wants," said Allimer as he wiped the blade clean on his pant leg. John gave a prayer of thanks to his savior and activated his pipboy.
"Walker here. What the problem?" His tone held his annoyance to Baker for almost getting him killed.
"Cut the attitude Walker," said the Captain coolly. "We have Enclave in the Vault and we will be teleporting to your location in a few minutes."
"Uh, that's not really gonna be possible Baker."
"What the hell do you mean?" she nearly screamed.
"The Enclave have control of this place's main pad. We had to use a secondary one to get in here and that use fried it."
"Listen here, Walker," urged the Captain. "In a few minutes we will be going through that teleporter no matter what. Unless you want us and your little blue girlfriend to get blasted by those Enclave bastards, then you better make damn sure that that area is clear. Baker out."
John could feel his anger rising towards the Captain. But as much as she annoyed him, she was right. If they were forced to come through the teleporter then him and Allimer would have to make sure that the way was clear.
"Aria, any loose Enclave around here?" he asked.
"Negative," responded the AI. All are in the Research and Development wing of this part of the facility."
"Then let's move," he said to Allimer. They moved quickly, encountering nothing but dust and cracks. Within a minute they were outside of their target. The solid white light stemming from inside the room provided a stark contrast to the flickering poor light in the rest of the facility. Inside, soldiers milled around while the technicians worked. They were completely oblivious to the threat only a few feet away.
"Well there's the rest of them," whispered Allimer.
"So, Sergeant, how do you feel about going in guns blazing?" asked John.
Allimer held up his rifle. "Locked and loaded, Courier. Let's kill ourselves some Enclave."
Walker gave him a smile and readied his rifle. "Let's do it."
Both men took positions on each side of the entrance, leaned out and began firing into the unsuspecting Enclave.
-)(-
Hammond held the rifle uncomfortably in his hands while sitting behind his makeshift cover of heavy crates. He was a doctor, not a soldier but he figured that really did not matter now. The Enclave were right above them about to come down on them.
"Men, as soon as I give the word, you fire on those sons of bitches," ordered the Captain from behind her own cover. We are going to let a few of them drop in and then give them hell, Understood?"
Hammond and the rest of the men gave their acknowledgement. The marines were excited, fighting was their profession and they were eager. Captain Baker and Commander Callaghan were not excited like the marines, but they were ready for the fight. Hammond was different from them, he was not ready, he was just plain scared, but he would fight.
He glanced down at the slumbering Asari next to him checking her vitals. They were good and hopefully she would wake up soon. Thankfully her wounds had closed up nicely.
Hammond heard a strange noise, like sand falling. He looked around his cover towards the ceiling on the other side of the room and watched as a section simply turned to dust and fall to the floor. He held his breath as adrenaline began to flood into his system. As the first Enclave soldier dropped in, Hammond gripped his rifle as surely as he could. A few more dropped in making there be a total number six heavily armed enemies only a few feet away. He glanced across the room and saw the Captain and the Commander sitting next to each other. Hammond watched as Commander Callaghan brought up his pipboy. Captain Baker gave a nod and he pressed his finger onto it.
A hideous roar erupted from the other side of the room as the floor shook from the explosives that had been planted by the marines to give the Enclave a little surprise. Hammond watched as a body flew over him and slammed into the wall in front of him, cracking it. Blood seeped from the broken Enclave soldier as he twitched and died in front of Hammond.
"Fire!" Yelled Captain Baker just after the explosion. Hammond spun around and glanced down the sights of his plasma rifle as more Enclave dropped down. Like a good little soldier he found a target and pulled the trigger.
-)(-
Plasma and laser fire exploded in the small room. Knelt down beside the Captain, Commander Callaghan fired expertly into the enemy. Each shot he fired found its mark, helped by a thin exoskeleton underneath his armor. It was a exoskeleton he always wore on missions and it had saved his life a few times. Back in the day before the fall, it was standard issue for Vegas special forces, it was small enough to not be noticed in plain clothes and it did him justice now.
In the first few seconds he had already put down two Enclave on his own. He glanced beside him to see the Captain firing with a sinister smile on her face. He knew she hated the Enclave, and her hatred rang strong as she fired her rifle again and again.
Together and along with the marines and the good doctor, they made a valiant stand. The Enclave were firing back, their shots coming close but they were at a disadvantage from their position. Callaghan heard a few small clanks as a canister was thrown down from above. Immediately it began spewing grey smoke blocking out their vision. He knew the Enclave with their sealed helmets would not be affected by this smoke, they had the ability to see through it. Thankfully they had visors that could do the same. As Callaghan and the Captain took cover for a moment to activate their own visors, the marines continued to fire, switching over without needing a second. He could even here the Doctor still firing into the grey abyss. He hoped the man remembered his own visor.
He looked at the Captain and gave her a small smile. As they turned to reengage the enemy he heard McKinley cry out and go silent, weapon and all. Callaghan started firing again. He heard another small clank and look down. On the Captain's side rolled a small sphere a few feet away. She did not see it but he did and his eyes widened. With the extra strength from his exoskeleton, he grabbed the Captain had pulled her over him and away from the explosive as ripped into the air throwing both of them out of their cover. Callaghan felt his head spin and his vision failed him.
-)(-
Lorrie felt a stinging sensation all over her body. She opened her eyes and say little stream of blood leaking from her from the shrapnel embedded in her by the grenade. It had happened so fast it was a blur. She looked at her former cover and saw that it was blasted to pieces. Between it and her, her eyes found Callaghan. He was still lying face down on the ground. Blood was pooling from beneath. She could see his exoskeleton through his tattered clothes. Her heart leapt for him and she hoped he was all right.
With a pop she heard the ringing of muffled rifle fire and realized that she had lost her hearing for a few seconds. She looked toward the scene and saw her men still firing. As she stood up she saw McKinley laying on the ground. As she rose higher she saw that the left side of his face was gone. She grimaced and moved brought her rifle to bear on the enemy. She pulled the trigger but nothing happened, her rifle was dead. She threw it to the side and swiftly moved towards Callaghan. She reached him and pulled away his own rifle, it was still ready for a fight. She noticed that Callaghan was still breathing and gave a small sigh. She grabbed him and quickly dragged him behind what cover they still had next to the small crater created from the grenade. When they were both behind, she leaned out over and looked for a target.
Just as she looked all she saw was a armored foot. It smashed into her arm, knocking her rifle out of her hands. She then felt herself being picked up and thrown back hard into a table. With stars in her eyes she looked up to see the Enclave Commander walking towards her. She tried to scramble away, but it was to no avail. The Commander reached her, grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. Lorrie gasped for air as she felt her feet leave the floor. She looked at the face of the helmet of the Enclave Commander. It was black as obsidian and she only saw her own reflection on it. She was dirty and bruised with bloody, matted hair in a mess on her head. She could feel her strength leaving her as the Commander held her their like a doll.
She mustered what strength she had and moved her right hand behind her. As quick as she could, she pulled out her sidearm from behind, but she was not quick enough. Just as she pulled it out the Commander grabbed her arm just at the elbow.
"Now, now Captain Baker," said the Enclave Commander. "You should know better." His voice was a metallic shrill and sent chills down her spine and she wondered how it knew her name. The Commander gave a laugh and she screamed and fought to aim the weapon. She looked over and saw the Commander clenching her arm. He twisted it and pulled. With horror in her eyes she watched as he twisted again and pulled harder. With a slick, wet plop, the Commander pulled Lorrie's right arm out of its socket. Pain exploded through her body, and the Commander through her arm to the ground, with her detached hand still holding her pistol. The pain was swept away as she felt shock take over her body. She could not breath as the Commander held her in the air still as a statue. As she felt her body and will failing she glanced around the room.
Everything that was going on was in slow motion to her. Private McKinley was dead and gone. Lance Corporal Yankers was withering on the ground, being dragged by to cover by Corporal Leroy as he and Jenkins fired and fired again into the Enclave. She saw that many of the Enclave were dead or dying, piled up on top of each other. Her men had fought well, but there were too many. She witnessed as one of the Enclave, his leg missing with a plasma burn in its place, lobbed a grenade before he fell over. The grenade to Lorrie slowly arced and bounced right in front of Hammond and his cover. She watched him, oblivious to the threat as he stood and continued firing into the enemy. She tried to call to him but failed. She watched as the grenade rippled and the good doctor was thrown back, still firing his rifle, failing to give up. As the doctor hit the ground she saw him look around, dazed. His eyes rested on the blue Asari. It was on its side still near the cover. Hammond glanced around more and Lorrie felt his eyes meet here. She watched as his eyes widened and he shouted, though she could not hear it. He raised his rifle at the Enclave Commander and for a second she hoped that she would be saved. Then, suddenly Hammond lowered the rifle.
In her mind she screamed at him and begged him to save her. Suddenly a splash of plasma slammed into the Enclave Commander, forcing him to drop Lorrie. She felt herself drop, into the arms of her XO, Callaghan. With one arm he held her and in the other he fired an Enclave plasma rifle again and again into the Enclave Commander. The Enclave Commander fell down and Callaghan pulled her away.
Air flooded back into her lungs as unconsciousness was barely held at bay. He heard Callaghan yelling for the doctor. Hammond ran over to her, dodging weapons fire on his way. When he reached her he began digging through his medical bag. He injected her with a shot and began wrapping her stump in bandages. Lorie could feel herself get a little stronger with the injection, but she was still weak.
"We have to get her out of here," said Hammond to Callaghan.
"I don't think that that will be possible," said Callaghan with sorrow and anger in his voice.
Lorrie looked around. She saw more Enclave pouring into the room. Leroy was in front of the withering Yankers and she watched as an Enclave Soldier slapped Leroy's rifle out of his hands and pushed him to the floor. The Enclave soldier raised his rifle about to fire.
She then saw the Enclave Commander rise, as though unfazed by the multiple shots he received from Callaghan. There were cracks in the armor and she could see blackened skin beneath. Callaghan was still holding his rife and firing, but they had lost. Enclave were surrounding them and one man with a rifle, even if that man had the advantage of a light exoskeleton, just wasn't enough. Thankfully, they had an Asari.
-)(-
Liara, awake and angry, watched as the humans were surrounded they black armored Enclave. Calling upon her power as she stood and exercised her might. She targeted the group of Enclave about to fire on the two marines. With a flash of blue light, she threw the enclave away and into their comrades. The one marine still standing gave her silent thanks. He moved for the other marine on the ground, shook his head at the still marine and put his hand over the dead man's face then jolted towards the others. Liara turned her attention full might onto the Enclave. With her powers she picked up anything she could hurling it at them. She raised a biotic shield as the Enclave returned fire and moved towards the group of friendly humans.
-)(-
Callaghan watched with renewed vigor as the awakened Asari gave hell to the Enclave. She and Leroy made their way to him and the Captain as Hammond treated her. The Asari enveloped them with her biotic field shielding them from the enemy's fire. Leroy picked up a rifle and began firing with Callaghan at the Enclave. More were dropping into the room, but they were keeping their distance as the Asari kept hurtling everything she could at them.
"Glad you could join the party," said Leroy to Asari as he fire from behind the protection of her field. "And thank you for the cover."
"You're welcome," said the Asari. "But I will not be able to hold it for much longer." Callaghan could see that it was already beginning to strain the Asari.
"Aria," he said. "What is the status of the teleporter?" The teleporter was to their left and it was clear from the Enclave for the time being.
"It is ready to go, Commander," responded the AI. "But the window for its use is limited. I advice you go now."
"Then let's get the hell out of here," he ordered. "Aria, let Allimer and the Courier know that we are coming through. Tell them their asses better be ready."
"I will, Commander," said the AI as Callaghan and his group began to move towards the teleporter pad under Liara's protective bubble.
-)(-
Like the Vault underneath Central, Big Mountain was going through a fire fight of its own. With a shot John brought down the last Enclave soldier. In the room, all the soldier and Enclave laid dead,and they all fought to the end.
John and Allimer were thankful for their luck. They had managed to surprise the Enclave and within a couple of minutes their little battle was won. As the last combatant dropped dead to the floor John watch as Allimer began treating a burn he received in the fight on his arm. It was not too bad and would heal fine.
"Aria," said John. "Where is the core?"
"It is in the table to your left," answer Aria. As he approached the table a smaller section began to rise out of it revealing the Key's core.
"Perfect," he said grabbing the core. "Aria, will this be alright in my pocket?" he asked the AI.
"So long as you do not do anything foolish, it will be fine," she responded.
"Good, now all we have to do is wait for the cavalry to arrive."
"Courier," said Aria. "My copy in the Vault has informed me that the situation there is desperate. They have already lost a couple, and are about to teleport here."
"Is the pad ready?" he asked. "Can they all even teleport. I thought it was limited to just two."
"My copy has pushed the Vault's reactor as far as possible. It will allow for them to all come at once, but it will permanently damage the Vault's energy network. A return trip will not be possible."
"What about if we go and assist. We might not be able to get out of here."
"Your assistance will be futile, Courier," said Aria. "There is also a way out of here, I discovered that it was still a viable method after I integrated with this facility."
"Alright, so how much longer till they're here?" asked John.
"Not long, Courier. Not long."
-)(-
Callaghan and the others finally made it to the pad while still under fire from the Enclave. A few had attempted to charge them but the Asari had made sure they kept their distance. The Captain, was weak but was standing on her own two feet. Thank God for modern medicine.
"Alright, Aria we are here. Teleport us all out," said Callaghan.
"I cannot, Commander," answered the AI. "The biotic abilities being used by the Asari interferes with the teleporter pad. As long as she is using her abilities I cannot engage teleportation."
"Damn," he cursed. "How long will it take for you to actually send us once she stops?"
"It will take ten seconds, Commander. After it is spooled up I will be able to hold the connection open for a few minutes at most," said Aria.
Callaghan racked his brain. With the Captain not on her best footing it was up to him to make the tough calls. He looked to the Asari who was protecting them all. "Asari, I have something hard to ask you." He said his words lowly and she cut her eyes at him. "Will you stay here with me so we can cover the rest so they can go. After that you can drop the field and we can jump through together." The Asari studied him, then she gave him one quick nod.
"Commander, no," exclaimed Captain Baker. "I will not allow you to stay here and take that risk. Her voice was raw, but Callaghan could feel the emotion behind it. "Let the Asari stay by herself, she seems more than capable."
"The Asari immediately butted in. "I will not stay here to die for people that I do not know and that are so easily willing to sacrifice my life for theirs. I will bring down this field and you can fend for yourselves."
Callaghan knew her threat was real, he could see it in her eyes. "That won't be necessary, Asari. We will stay here together. I will not abandon you here after you helped us."
"Commander," began Captain Baker. "I am ordering you to not..."
"No Captain," said Callaghan. "I am ordering you to listen to me and go through that teleporter. Leroy, Hammond, make sure she get there safely." The marines and the doctor gave him a nod and Callaghan along with the Asari began to move off of the pad so they could begin. The Asari stretched her field out to cover them from the front.
He looked back as they stepped off the pad to see Captain Bakers eyes filled fright. "Please Jacob," she pleaded. "Don't leave me."
Callaghan gave her a long look and smiled. "Don't worry, Lorrie. I will be right behind you." As the Asari held the shield, plasma and laser file reigned around them, for one second Callaghan and Baker looked at one another. Then he got to work.
"Aria, spool up that pad," he ordered. In his right hand he held the powerful plasma rifle, in the other he held pistol. As the pad spooled up he fired mercilessly into the Enclave. The Asari aided his assault with anything she could, bodies, rubble, stationary, it did not matter as she threw it all.
The air had a static feel to it and he turned to look back seeing for one second his comrades before they blinked out. "Alright, Asari, get ready to drop the field and run," he yelled.
"Hold on, Commander," warned the AI. There is something wrong. I cannot shut down the teleportation matrix."
"So?" he asked, ready to be gone from this place.
"The matrix will not shut down until the Vault experiences an energy network failure in approximately eighty-two seconds. It has malfunction and it will not shut down till then, it is unresponsive. Until it does shut down, anyone will be able to access the teleportation matrix. If you don't want anyone to follow you must guard it and jump in at the last second."
"Damn," he exclaimed. He continued to fire at the Enclave. Most had already found cover or were staying above waiting it out, only firing half heartily. His firing was just holding them at bay. He looked at the Asari and saw she was straining. He knew that she had just been injured a few hours before and knew she did not have long left. As though his thoughts were reality, he heard her let out a small cry and their biotic protection failed. He stopped firing, grabbed her hand and jumped behind some cover pulling her with him. The Enclave saw their opportunity and fully opened up on the duo.
"I'm sorry," said the Asari with gritted teeth. She was holding her hand over her stomach and he could see blood.
"You did more than I could have dreamed, girl. Don't worry about it." He looked from her to the pad. "Listen I am going to cover you and you are going to go to the others, understood?"
"But," she started.
"No buts. You put your ass on the line for us and I owe you. Don't worry, I am going to be right behind you and I have a plan."
She gave him a nod. He took a deep breath. "Okay. Go!" he yelled as he leaned over his cover firing wildly at the enemy. "Come on you sons of bitches, kill me if you can!"
The Asari jolted. Plasma streamed for her but she managed to pull up a partial field protecting her. She dropped it as she reached the pad and blinked away. Callaghan pulled back behind cover. He was looking straight at the teleportation pad.
"Commander, there is no way you can make it there alive," said the AI, almost woefully.
"I know," he said. He leveled his rifle at the pad and opened fire. A bang boomed as the pad erupted into a shower of sparks. "I didn't intend to. Thank you for all your help, Aria. But here is where this party ends."
The firing on both sides had stopped. The Enclave soldiers all knew that they had won, at least against him. Callaghan stood up from his cover, rifle in hand. The soldiers all brought up their weapons to bear. In the middle stood the Enclave Commander. He motioned with his hand an all the soldiers lowered their weapons.
Callaghan stood in front of his Enclave counterpart, Commander facing Commander.
"Your sacrifice is in vain," spoke the Enclave Commander with his shrill metallic voice. "They will die and the Key will be ours."
Callaghan gave his Enclave counterpart a smile. "Well, I really hope not." Behind him was a large lab table. In a flash he reached for it and latched on. With the power of his exoskeleton suit he ripped it from the floor and hurled it to the Enclave Commander. The Commander managed to dodge the table, but he failed to dodge Callaghan who raced right behind it. Callaghan kneed the Commander in the chest bringing the armored man to the floor, pinning him down with his powerful legs. Callaghan pointed the plasma rifle point blank at the Commander's face plate and fired quickly three times, melting the front of the helmet and killing the Enclave Commander. Callaghan looked up at the rest of the Enclave. There were about twenty of them in the room and he knew they were all shocked.
"Now, who's next?" he challenged.
"You," he heard someone whisper as he felt an exploding pain in his abdomen. He looked down, shaking and in shock and saw the armored arm of the Enclave Commander sticking through him. The Commander lifted his shattered head and looked at Callaghan.
Callaghan's eyes went wide as he stated at the helmet. There was a huge hole in it from where he fired and where there should have been goo there was a face. It was burned and he saw bones and muscles, but as he looked at it he could see it was healing itself, undoing the damage done. Callaghan threw up and the Commander threw Callaghan off of him and onto the floor, further ripping open his stomach.
Through the pain Callaghan could feel his body dying. The Enclave Commander calmly walked over to him, and knelt down above. "You die in vain, fool," he said. His voice did not have the metallic shrill to it, but was instead softer though harsh. You forget that there is another teleporter. Your friends will die." The Commander then got up and walked away and the rest of the Enclave followed, leaving the dying man alone.
His vision started to go black. "Aria, tell the others to destroy the bad on their side," he said weakly.
"I cannot Commander," answered the AI. "The network of this facility is already starting to fail. All communication has been lost.
Callaghan took the news hard. His only hope was that the others would do it on their own accord. But they were no longer his concern. He was in so much pain, he wished it would end soon.
"Aria," he croaked. "I know this is silly, but will you stay with me. I don't want to," he started coughing and he could taste blood. "I don't want to die alone."
"Of course, Commander," responded the AI. "I..." She cut off and a second later the lights failed sending Callaghan's world into darkness. Alone, cold and with no light, Callaghan ,after doing all he could for his people and his friends, died.
-)(-
John heard a whine and turned to look at the teleportation pad. A second later the marine Leroy and Doctor Hammond came through holding up a bloodied an one armed Captain Baker. Corporal stood next to them looking bloody and worn.
"Captain Baker, are you all right?" asked Allimer as he made his way across the room towards the Captain.
"What do you think, Sergeant?" Baker responded.
The marine and doctor laid the Captain on one of the tables. "As long as we can get her somewhere safe, she will be fine," said Hammond.
"Where are the others?" asked John.
"They covered us so we could get through," answered Jenkins. "They should be right behind us."
John heard a whine again a few seconds later and they all turned to the pad. After a flash they saw that Liara stood alone on the platform.
She smiled weakly at him. "John, I should have known," she said. They moved to each other.
"I'm glad you on your feet," he said. "What on earth happened after I passed out?"
"Another time," she said. John could feel the sadness radiating off of her. He gave her a nod.
"Where the hell is my XO?" demanded Baker to Liara.
"I don't know, he said he would be right behind me." As she finished the teleporter deactivated.
"Aria, what happened back there?" asked John.
"The teleporter has been disconnected, Courier," answered Aria. Silence greeted her words, but only for a few seconds.
"You bitch," yelled Baker at Liara. "You left him there." She turned to Sergeant Allimer. "Sergeant, I order you to shoot her, now." Liara moved closer to John and stood in front, he would not let that happen. Baker looked like she was coming loose.
Allimer looked from the Captain, to Liara and then to John before responding. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Captain," the big sergeant said.
"I gave you an order, Sergeant."
"And I heard you ma'am, but we don't know what happened."
She let out a cry of frustration and turned to Leroy. "Corporal Leroy. Corporal Jenkins. Shoot her."
Leroy and Jenkins looked at the Captain and then to Allimer who shook his head. "I'm sorry, Cap. Orders..," said the young Jenkins gesturing to the Sergeant. Corporal Leroy did not look as deterred but kept still.
Allimer turned to Liara. "Asari, what happened?"
"After you went through, my field failed. He ordered me to go through and said he would be right behind."
"Liar," claimed Baker with venom in her voice.
"It is the truth," chimed in Aria. "Commander Callaghan ordered Liara through. Then he fired onto the pad destroying it."
"Why?" asked a perplexed John.
"The matrix had become unstable and would not have been able to close until the energy network for the Vault went down. He knew that the Enclave could not be held, so he prevented the Enclave from being able to access it."
"What happened to him?" asked the Captain. Her voice was cold but she looked like she was about to have a breakdown.
"He attacked the Enclave Commander," Aria began. "Initially he appeared successful, but the Enclave Commander managed to impale Commander Callaghan with his fist, crippling him. That was the last thing I was able to observe before I lost communication with the Vault as the energy network began to fail. I am sorry for your loss."
John watched as the news hit the Captain hard. Her legs gave out and Hammond and Leroy softly put her on the ground. She just stared at the ground with a blank look. John did not like her, not at all, but he felt sorry for her. She had lost an arm and a friend. The shock was probably too much for her to handle right now.
"Did y'all manage to bring the Key's shell with you?" John asked moving on. Without looking up, with her only arm Baker reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver case and tossed it to John. He opened it up and found the shell. "Uh, any special way I put these things together," he asked Aria.
"Just slide the small part of the core into the wide part of the shell," she said.
John did so and with a small click the two were one. "Well, I guess we have what we came for. I guess it would be best for us to leave. Aria, you said you had a way out?"
"Yes, Courier. I have updated you pipboy. Simply follow the marker."
"Then let's move out." He began to walk out of the room where the marker guided him with Liara close to his side. The rest followed suit and they all made their way.
The group made its way through the broken corridors. Long dead corpses lined the way. Most that they passed were in groups of two or more, they died together. Aria informed him that during the Fall, Big Mountain was heavily hit and those that survived the initial bombing eventually succumbed to poisoning as the hazardous atmosphere leaked into what remained of Big Mountain. Aria said some tried to leave by teleporter, but they met a similar fate, though some may have made it out alive.
Final the marker on his pipboy glowed strong as they reached the last door before reaching their exit. "Through that door is our escape," said Aria.
"Aren't we still deep underground?" asked Leroy. "Is it a tunnel?"
"You will see," stated Aria in a mysterious tone.
"Then let's get out of here," said John as he leaned forward and activated the panel opening the door. "My God," he exclaimed in disbelief.
"Well that sure is a way out," said Jenkins with half a laugh.
The group entered a huge room and at its center was a ship. "May I present to you, the Vegas Ship Dawn. This ship, by the order of Robert House, belongs to you, Courier."
"It's a cruiser, said Allimer as he gazed up at the ship. "It's a mean looking one, too." It was solid black and had a blocky, strong look to it. It name was in white on the ship's hull and contrasted nicely with the dark color of the ship.
"It's mine?" asked John. "You sure, Aria? I don't think I have ever owned something quite that nice, or big before."
"I am sure, Courier."
"And how do you suppose we get it out of this hanger?" asked Baker annoyingly. "The entire area above us was hit hard, I doubt you can open the ceiling up for launch."
"The Dawn has more than enough capacity to easy remove that as an obstacle, Captain," said Aria.
"And what about the Citadel forces in orbit?" continued Baker. "They are going to take notice to a human war ship leaving the atmosphere."
"The VS Dawn is one of the most advanced warships ever constructed by Vegas and the Lucky 38 Corporation. It's stealth abilities far exceed what the Citadel is capable of detecting. They will see an explosion as we leave at best, nothing more."
"Until that little blue skinned bitch gives us away," accused Baker.
"Enough," said John stepping into the conversation. "Liara goes before you do and if you insult her more time I will leave you hear with a bullet in your head. Understood, Captain?" Baker looked at him and then looked down, offering no more comment.
"Thank you John," said Liara.
"Don't mention it. Now let's see what this girl looks like on the inside."
The inside looked as though it was new. It was free of the dust and grime that John had seen everywhere else since he had awoken. As they entered the ship Aria integrated with it. When she informed them of this, John could see a look of concern on Liara's face and he made a mental note to ask her on it later.
They reached the bridge, and were welcomed with moderately sized and cozy room with a chair in the center. "What do we do now?" he asked Aria.
"Take a seat in the chair and simply say you name. That will fully activate the ship and I will then be able to begin launch preparations." John took her advice and sat down into the surprisingly comfortable chair.
"John Walker," he said, his voice level.
He could here Aria's voice respond. " Voice Recognition: Verified. Biometric Recognition: Verified. Welcome home, Courier."
"Thank you Aria, I am glad to be here. Now, let us get out of here."
"What is our destination?" asked Aria. Walker shrugged and looked towards the others for help.
"Can this ship remained free from detection in orbit and does it have the ability to take a party ashore undetected?" asked Captain Baker.
"Yes on both counts, Captain Baker," said Aria.
"Then our best bet would be to park in Mars' orbit and meet up with the Coalition." She looked at John. "It is our best bet."
"Aria," started John. "Does this ship have a medical bay?"
"It does, Courier."
"Good." He approached Captain Baker who was still being held by Leroy and Hammond. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Key. "You and your men sacrificed a lot for this, Captain. It is yours." She reached out and took it, placing it in one of her pockets.
"Thank you, Walker," she said.
"Don't mention it," he gave her a smile. "Doc, I would advise you and the marines help get her down to the med bay. Aria will show you the way."
"Right you are," said Hammond. "Come on, Corporal. Help me with the Captain so she can rest."
The four moved out of the room and towards the med bay under the guidance of Arai as John returned back to the center of the bridge. Allimer and Liara were the only ones left. "Aria, can you fly this thing by yourself?"
"I can provide a basic operation of all functions for this ship, although having an actual crew will be more efficient, but I will be able to safely navigate us to Mars without any problem."
"Good, well...," he looked at Allimer. "Sergeant, do you know anything about how a spaceship operates?"
"I do, Walker," he responded.
"Good, then you can be my second in command and warn me if I am about to do anything stupid."
"Uh, I'm just and enlisted man Walker. I don't know if that's appropriate."
"Nonsense you will do fine." He looked over at Liara." Liara, I want you to head down to the med bay as well. Have the Doctor check you out and make sure you okay." Liara gave him a nod. "Aria, Make sure she stay safe down there. If the others try anything you stop them."
"I will, Courier, but I would advise that Liara wait a few moments until my sensors over that section of the ship come on line."
"I thought you said the ship was fully activated," he said.
"It is, Courier, but it takes time to bring every system online for the first time in twenty years. The priority is set for a launch, and the main systems. Internal sensor fall under secondary systems and will come online fully in a few moments."
"Alright, then Liara, stay here for a few moments, if you don't mind."
"Not at all John." She moved over and sat down at one of the terminals to his right and began going through the system."
"If you find anything interesting, let me know. It's not like I have a clue how to do anything." Allimer gave a light laugh at his comment. "Aria, how long until launch?"
"We are now ready, Courier. Propulsion and weapon systems are online. We can leave on your order."
"Uh, do we have to strap down or anything."
"No, Courier," responded the AI. "The inertia dampeners installed in the ship will negate any turbulence there is to be experienced. It will... Internal sensors online. Alert! Enclave personnel detected in the medical bay."
"What?" exclaimed John. "How many?"
"Just one, it is the Enclave Commander."
"Damn. Allimer, Liara, stay here. Don't let them get control of the bridge. I will handle him." He brought out his rifle and was out the door before anyone could say a word otherwise.
-)(-
Lorrie watch on in horror as the Enclave Commander threw Doctor Hammond across the room hitting a cabinet and causing medical supplies to go everywhere. Corporal Leroy and Jenkins both laid unconscious on the floor and all she could do was watch. Hammond had just applied something or another and she was struggling to remain conscious.
The Enclave Commanders armor was in perfect condition, and either he had changed suits since their last engagement or this was a different commander. When it spoke, she knew it was the same one.
"So we meet again," said the Commander in its shrill metallic voice. "How's the arm?" He gave her a horrid laugh. "Maybe I should just take off the other one just too make things even, hmm?" He reached out towards her as she lay helpless on the medical table. He did not go for her arm, however, or her throat like last time, but her pocket. "Thank you Captain," he said as he pulled out the Key. "This will be very helpful for our cause, but I don't think you will be alive to see it." Then he reached for her throat.
As his fingers came just to it, she watched with satisfaction as a rifle butt slammed into the Commander's head knocking him over. She saw it was done by Walker and he brought the rifle to bear and fired at the Commander. The Commander dodged and jolted out of the room, running away. Walker ran after him.
-)(-
Walker chased the Commander down the Dawn's corridors. "Aria, where is he heading?"
"He is heading to one of the port exits."
"Port means left, right?"
"It means the left side of the ship, Courier." The Commander was building the distance between the two and John put all he had to catch up. The Commander turned a corner and John went after him. As he did, he ran right into the stretched out arm of the Enclave Commander and was thrown to the floor.
Coughing, John tried to get back to his feet but the Commander pinned him down and knocked his rifle out of his hands. "The Key is mine, John," said the Commander.
"Go to hell, you bastard," John said hoarsely. "How did you even get here?"
"There is another teleporter, remember? I simply used that one and was delighted to see that you weren't smart enough to disable the one on your side. Then I followed you here. Your little AI was easy enough to fool. I actually expected better of you, John, but I should have already learned that you are always subpar." The Commander raised his hand up and formed a fist ready to barrel down on John.
"Do it," urged John. "I fucking dare you, DO IT!" He screamed at the Commander. Adrenaline was coursing through his system and he was damned if we was going to meet his end begging for his life like a whimpering dog.
The Commander's fist began to move then it stopped. It shuttered in the air as though the Commander could not will himself to do the act. Taking advantage of the hesitation John used what force he had and knocked the Commander off of him. The Commander bounced to his feet, looked at John, than turn and ran.
John stumbled after him but he was too slow, the blow had hit him hard.
"The Enclave Commander has left the ship. No Enclave detected on board," informed Aria.
"And he has the Key with him," said John. "I have to go after him."
"That would be unwise, Courier," said Aria. "We do not have the manpower. It would be suicide. There is nothing we can now do. It would be best to go to Mars for reinforcements."
"Yes it would," concurred John. He turned around and headed back to the med bay to check up on the others. His mood was foul with defeat. When he reached the med bay he found Hammond treating and unconscious Baker and Leroy. He looked rough and John told him to fix himself up too. The doctor agreed and John made way to the bridge.
Allimer and Liara knew what had happened and did not bother him with questions. He took his seat in the command chair and ordered the ship to take off. He could feel the ship come to life under him and watched as the weapons systems fired into the ceiling above, causing stone and earth to rain down. It did not even hamper the Dawn as the engines roared and it blasted through the rubble into the night sky.
John activated one of the monitors and looked down onto what was one New Vegas. It was nothing but dust and ashes John was glad to be leaving. As the stealth systems were engaged and they rocketed up into space, he wondered what kind of place Mars was like. He doubted it could be worse than the ruins of Earth.
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