The Fallout of War

Chapter 3, Recall Code

Climbing out of the inky abyss came slowly. The pounding in my head was horrendous, not to mention one side of my face throbbed like blades on a vertibird causing a moan to escape my throat. My left eye was swelled half shut. I tried to touch my face, but my hands and arms would not move. What the?

Coming more fully awake, memory flooded back. I was lying upon one of the beds in the vault barracks. My hands were handcuffed to the bed railing above my head and jangled as I tugged. How much time had passed? Had I been missed in Sanctuary? Was Danse back? Was anyone looking for me? I jumped at the despised voice that spoke near by.

"You're awake finally." I turned to see Kellogg leaning back in a folding chair on two legs near my bunk. His legs were propped up on a small nightstand as he cleaned his dirty nails with a switchblade. He withdrew his legs from the table and sat up causing the chair's other two legs to hit the floor with an echoing bang. I winced as the sound increased the pounding in my head.

"You'd be wise to not make me angry Tanna. I can be forgiving... this once." "Forgiving as the Glowing Sea." I mumbled. He leaned closer, "Don't take it personal. It's just business." "And I'm sure it was just business that got your wife and daughter murdered."

I could feel the rage generating from him. Quicker than I could gasp, my face was clasped in his meaty hand and turned so he could lay the cold steel of his switchblade against my cheek. His eyes danced with pleasure at the thought of slicing deep, but his jaw was clenched tightly in an attempt to retain control.

A glimmer of sanity was returning slowly as he stared at the blade's edge laid against my skin. His clenched jaw relaxed, but melted into a wicked grin that curled his lips. The blade slid down to the side of my neck and I cried out as its tip dug into my skin in 3 quick slices. He released me with a jerk, but his sour breath assailed my nostrils as he warned softly. "A "K" for daring to speak of them and each time you piss me off bitch, I will carve another letter until you are wearing my name like a collar around that pretty throat of yours."

I nodded numbly, sufficiently cowed. I had pushed him too far. He rose and strode from the room. His carved initial burned and stung as the blood dripped down my neck and into the mattress. I would not give him cause to add any more letters.

Pre-war I had been raised as a military brat, always moving, new faces and places. My father had taught me to shoot a gun at an early age, something I was grateful for post-war. As an adult I was a prosecuting attorney and the pain and sorrow of the victims I represented twisted at my gut. It was probably the reason I found it so difficult to say "No" to someone in need of help and ending up as General to the Minutemen.

Additionally dealing with the brutality and obscenities humanity can commit against itself had hardened my heart so it was no wonder I fell in easily with the Brotherhood's ideals and view of crushing those who would pile cruelty upon innocents aside from my families military history. I had dealt with others like Conrad Kellogg from across a courtroom. No doubt it was why I dared to be so bold with Kellogg and had pressed my luck. Lesson learned.

The pain in my head and neck was beginning to ease after a while and I attempted to sit up. Twisting the chain of the cuffs I managed, though I felt light headed. Footsteps approached and I saw Kellogg enter the room accompanied by one of the Coursers.

"Put these on." He threw a pile of hooded rags at me. "Don't want anyone recognizing you." He unlocked my cuffs and seated himself in the metal chair once more. Oh God. I hesitated and saw his fingers move toward the pocket that housed his switchblade. "Don't worry. I have no intentions of touching you." Turning my back to him and with trembling fingers I changed as quickly as possible; relieved I didn't hear the squeak of his chair until I'd finished.

Rising he rounded the end of the bed, cuffing my hands before me once more as he spoke in a mocking tone. "Good girl Tanna." I swear, your next death will be slow Kellogg.

Nodding to the Courser he turned to leave. I dared to make a request. "May I use the facilities?" I tried to sound meek and reformed. He eyed me suspiciously, but gave my robotic guard an affirmative nod then spun and headed toward the Overseer's quarters.

I was led to the bath area under my shadows watchful gaze. After using the facility I bent to the sink gulping down much needed water and splashing my face and neck. Staring in the mirror I cringed at the face gaping back. The discoloration of bruises was spreading around my eye, and temple; more were starting to develop along my jaw and cheek matching those that covered my upper arms. The bloody "K" on the side of my neck made my stomach churn.

Finished, I was ushered into the Overseer's office and placed in a metal chair. Kellogg was there, his legs resting upon the desk, a bottle of Gwinett Stout in his hand. "I'm not interested in chit-chat unless you want another letter added." He didn't even bother to look my way. We sat there in silence as the minutes ticked by until the silence was broken by the clank and whine of machinery indicating the lift to the vault had been activated.

"Shit." Kellogg breathed under his breath and he rose to stand with his hand resting upon his holster. The guard at my side went stealth and placed a cold firm hand upon my shoulder. The second moved toward the hall door before vanishing from sight.

I heard the unmistakable ringing thud and clank mingled with the hissing hydraulics of a Power suit. Danse! He was coming! I held my breath as the shadow of a PAS fell across the doorway and then he entered. It was Danse! "Danse! Watch out! There are Coursers!" I tried to rise, but the strong hand held me in my seat... then the strangest thing happened.

The Coursers appeared, Kellogg sat back down and Danse, hearing his name, glanced at me with a completely blank stare. His attention returning to the monster sitting behind the desk, he gave a curt nod which Conrad Kellogg responded too in kind. Danse tossed a holotape on the desk. "New orders Sir."

Did he just call Kellogg Sir?! Is my face so bad he doesn't recognize me? Lifting my bound hands,I pushed the hood from my head, "Danse! It's me! Tanna! What... what are you doing?" At my outburst Danse turned again to study my face more closely. He gave Kellogg a quizzical look. "Oh. She's the package." Kellogg responded to his inquiring look. The Paladin turned a raised eyebrow toward me in surprise. "Congratulations on acquiring the package." His gaze turned back to Kellogg. "The holotape is an update on your assignment." Grunting, Kellogg grabbed it from the desk and shoved it into the computer.

"Danse?" I tried again, but it came out as a confused whispered. "Shut her up." Kellogg demanded as he peered at the computer screen. The Courser gagged me with a kerchief and I could only stare wide eyed at my friend and lover.

I realized suddenly he was wearing old T51 PA and a modified combat rifle was slung across his back instead of his usual laser rifle. He stepped closer stretching out his armored hand, lightly touching my chin to indicate I should turn my face from side to side.

There was no hint or glint in his perusal or his touch to indicate I was anything except a stranger to him, yet his thick brows dropped in that all to familiar frown. "What happened to her face?" Kellogg glanced up and watched us closely. "She accidentally ran into my fist." Danse's jaw tightened and his frown deepened, but his tone was all business and impersonal. "And I suppose she ran into something sharp that cut a "K" into her neck?" He turned back to Kellogg. "Orders were to deliver the package safe and undamaged."

Kellogg's study of us relaxed as he pulled the holotape from its slot. "She'll heal just fine. No real damage. So according to this I'm handing the package over to you for delivery and I'm being sent after a new one." It was a statement rather than a question. Danse nodded. "I want to get under way to take advantage of the night cover, my gear is still topside." "I'll gather my things and meet you at the lift." Kellogg announced to his retreating back.

What was going on here? What was Danse doing? Is this some elaborate plan to rescue me and he was just playing a role. If so, he was a damn good actor cause it truly seemed he didn't know me?

I heard the echoing thud of PA boots fade down the corridor as Kellogg rose and approached me. Grabbing my cuffed hands he pulled me from the chair. "I know what you're thinking Tanna. Don't expect your tin man to be the hero and rescue you. As you saw, he doesn't even know you; and for your outburst, instead of another letter, my departing gift to you is two words... Recall Code."