The Fallout Of War

Chapter 21, Battles Fought

It was just shy of an hour later everyone was once more gathered in the meeting hall when Danse and I arrived. Danse's arm wrapped tightly about my waist made it apparent to all we were once more in tune with one another.

We both glanced around the room pausing on Merc. I moved toward the head of the long table, Danse's brows lowered as his arm slid from my waist and he headed toward Merc. MacCready who had been speaking with Merc stepped away with the big soldier's approach so the two could converse in private.

"Don't think I don't know why you did that Merc, but don't expect me to thank you."

"Yeah, well what are brothers for Danse."

"Of course, you have no intention of going near her again, right." Danse made it a statement, not a question.

Merc rubbed his jaw that still held a slight discoloration despite the stempak that had been used.

"Right, hell every time I'm mixed up with her I end up in pain and need stempaks. Besides, truth is there's this cute little brunette in the Capitol Wasteland hoping for my return."

Both of their eyes crinkled slightly as they clasped wrists.

"Think she'll forgive me?"

"She probably already has. I've no doubt she knows you did that deliberately also. Right now, she's just piqued we've already made up so easily." Both their gazes drifted over to me.

I watched them and snorted to myself, Men! They'd get mad, beat the hell out of each other and then are the best of friends afterward. As their gazes turned toward me, I felt the blood rush to my cheeks feeling they had both just read my thoughts.

Clearing my throat I got everyone's attention. "Okay Colonel, what's going on?"

"Merc has some vital info about the Institute's plans. It'd be best he shared them first hand."

Everyone's attention turned to Merc as he and Danse joined us around the table and explained what he'd over heard in the Overseer's office between Zimmerman and Kellogg.

"Damn Zimmerman!" I cursed, "Colonel I want every settlement on high alert. Get Freedom radio to send out the alert. I want sirens going off across the Commonwealth just to be safe. Deacon, we need to inform Desdemona."

"She's probably still in route, I'll need to get to Bunker Hill. You still want the armor at Malden taken?"

Danse spoke up, "Chances are it won't be there by the time her Heavies can reach Malden."

"I can get you to Bunker Hill Deacon via vertibird." Haylen volunteered. Deacon nodded his thanks.

"We can get a squad of Minutemen to Mirkwater fairly quick from Sommerville and Egret." Tanna interjected.

"We're talking about power armor being used to attack Mirkwater Tanna." Danse reminded them.

"You're right Danse. Deacon, Des should probably divert her Heavies to Mirkwater. I'll still send what Minutemen I can that way to help. Preston see to that."

"Affirmative General."

I nodded to Haylen and Deacon who headed out the door. "Haylen meet us at the Prydwen afterward. I'll call in my own vertibird to get there."

Turning my attention back to the next issue, "We still need to deal with Starlight. Get Abernathy and Co-op to send squads there." She glanced at Danse.

"I'd send a squad in power armor from here also. We don't know how large a force they are sending against Starlight." Danse responded to her glance.

"Agreed. Okay Preston, make it happen."

"Request permission to lead the squad to Starlight General. We're gonna have squads from three locations merging there. I want to be with my men. Peterson can relay any updates if needed." Preston seemed adamant.

I eyed Preston and sensed this was important to him. "Granted Colonel."

"Count us in also Tanna." MacCready and Cait rose from their seats across the table. She guessed she didn't expect anything less. "Alright, but you're under Preston's command."

My attention went back to Preston, "You best get moving Colonel."

They all filed out which left Danse, Merc and myself sitting at the table as the thump thump of Haylen's vertibird arrived and lifted off.

My forehead was creased in a frown considering the Brotherhood check points that would be under fire. Danse reached over and covered one of my hands with his knowing where my thoughts had traveled.

"They'll hold their own Tanna. We can at least stop at the check points on the way to the Prydwen and give warning."

"You know as well as I do, no matter what I say, they won't change a damn thing without orders from the Prydwen."

My eyes flew wide as I realized he had said we.

"Wait a minute. There is no WE to this. You getting any where near the Prydwen is suicide!"

"I'll be in my power armor. The Brotherhood has nothing against the Red Demon and there is a mole there after Maxson that I have a score to settle with."

"I'm not getting left out! I'm going too." Merc announced.

"Absolutely not!"

Danse had turned to Merc ignoring Tanna's ranting, "She has a spare Paladin power suit you can use. As long as we keep our helmets on, we'll be fine."

"You're both insane! You are not-"

Peterson came running in from the radio room, his urgent words cutting her off. "General, reports are coming in! Starlight and Mirkwater are under attack!"

All three spewed out curses before I turned toward Merc. "You said we had till dawn, thats still a couple hours away."

"I said I was ordered to have you captured by dawn. We all assumed that was the time table for the attacks." Merc responded in defense.

"I've got to get to the Prydwen. This means the check points have been hit too. If Maxson orders retaliation..."

I didn't bother to finish as I ran out the door, Danse and Merc on my heels. I threw down a vertibird flare in the street and ran into my house heading for my power suit. Danse and Merc ran into the armory. I gave my suit a quick check over then checked my ammo and grabbed my weapons. I could hear the vertibird approaching as I ran back out into the street.

As the vertibird hit the ground I was already climbing in, glancing behind me half expecting to see Danse and Merc running to catch up, but there was no sign of them. I turned back to the vertibird and saw why, they were both climbing in through the opposite doors.

"Out! Both of you!" I ordered just as the pilot turned in his seat toward me.

"Orders just in Paladin Steel. Brotherhood patrols are under attack. All personnel and squads are to report in for orders. Code red. I've been ordered to return to the Prydwen immediately." Before he'd even finished speaking the vertibird had lifted off and was speeding toward the Boston Airport.

I glared at the helmeted faces of Danse and Merc, "You two are going to answer for this later." They both nodded agreeably. "Our priority is to get to Maxson." Their heads bobbed up and down. "We have to stop him from sending out any retaliation and make sure that mole doesn't get to him." Again they just nodded in full compliance. Now they agree with whatever I say. I felt like kicking them and turned away before I decided to push them both out the doors and instead gave my attention to the pilot.

"Update me." The pilot did with some hesitation, "A patrol already in Boston has been sent to the Old Church and two patrols are heading toward... the castle Ma'am."

"Son-of-a-bitch!" I grabbed the spare headset shoving it on my head, breaking into the chaotic radio transmissions on the military wave length of the Brotherhood with an emergency code several times before getting acknowledged.

"This is Paladin Steel. I need to speak with Elder Maxson or Lancer Captain Kells."

"Sorry Paladin Steel, they are unavailable for any communications at this time."

"Damn it! Then get a message to them immediately. They need to recall all squads for defense. The airport is going to be attacked by the Institute."

"The Institute Ma'am?" was the disbelieving response over the coms.

"Just give the message to Elder Maxson now! Paladin Steel out." I swore for even as I signed off I heard more squads being ordered to the Church and various check points before replacing the headset with my helmet once more. I glanced back at Danse and Merc who had their heads bent together. Now what the hell are those two up to?

Danse moved closer to me, "Don't worry. They still have Prime active. Any attack force won't get far against Prime." I nodded, yet couldn't help thinking Prime was not something the Institute would have over looked in an attack plan.

I moved to the open door looking toward the Airport, it seemed we could not get there soon enough. The Airport came into view and I drew in a quick breath before shouting at them both, "It's begun! Safety off!"

Laser fire could be seen in the outer compound of the Brotherhood base, red and blue beams and flashes lighting up the night.

"Where is Prime?! I don't see Prime!" Both men were behind me now peering out at the battle starting ahead and below. "There!" One of them pointed where Prime stood solitary and unmoving as a statue.

"Why is he not fighting?"

"Looks like he's been shut down!"

"Son-of-a-bitch! How?"

"The Brotherhood armor, they probably walked right in, seized the control station before anyone realized what was happening."

"I got this!" Merc leaned toward the pilot, "Get us over the roof of that control station now!"

The vertibird swerved and before I could stop him Merc leaped out falling toward the roof below. Danse was about to follow when a loud explosion ripped through the air from above. We turned and saw the Prydwen's flight deck door go spinning into space taking a Paladin with it.

"Up! Up! Get us up there now!" Danse yelled at the pilot.

Another vertibird had just landed at the flight deck and we saw several Synths leap from it. A battle now raged on the Prydwen.

Danse and I leaped from the vertibird before it even locked into place and open fired. I was taking out anything that got near the open hatch, Danse was shooting and running full tilt across the ramp knocking Synths over the edge that let him get to close. Very few Brotherhood had exited the Prydwen to join the fight, I was assuming many had already gone to ground level to aid the battle there.

We fought our way to the hatch with two other Paladins taking down the last of the Synths and headed inside to find Maxson. Entering the Command deck we stepped over three paladin's dead or severely wounded, but spied Maxson in the observation area surrounded by others and breathed a sigh of relief, yet something struck me odd. We rushed around the ladder to the main deck and were brought to an abrupt halt at the observation room's entrance.

My heart was already pounding from battle, but it lodged in my throat as I realized Maxson had his hands clasped behind his neck in surrender. Proctor Quinlan and Captain Kells stood there immobile to one side with a Knight, Ingram stood swearing next to a star paladin just inside the room's entrance.

Knight-Captain Cade stood next to Maxson holding a laser pistol to the Elder's head.

"Drop your weapons now!" Cade ordered. We complied slowly. I removed my helmet and was surprised to see Danse do the same.

Elder Maxson began swearing as did several others around the room upon seeing Danse, but I figured that was the least of our worries. Of course damn it! Knight-Captain Cade, one person who had access to all Danse's past records and files, personal history, his pshyche, medical and of course his DNA.

"Take it easy Cade. What ever the problem is, it can be worked out." I forced my voice to sound soothing and reasonable.

Cade didn't even acknowledge me as his eyes were glued to Danse standing at my side and I froze as I felt the muzzle of his laser rifle press against my head.

"Exit the power armor Tanna, nice and slow." Danse's voice matched his darkened brown eyes, now hard and stolid.

"Danse? Merc?"

"Not Danse."

"Merc." Came out in a choked whisper.

He moved behind me and opened my suit, yanking me out before it had even completely opened.

I felt numb with shock and my movements were stilted as he drug me back around before the others.

"How? Why?"

"I told you my orders. I had till dawn to nab you again. I also get the added bonus of completing my original orders."

He started to drag me toward Cade and Maxson, but Cade halted him.

"Hold it right there Merc? Your original orders?" Cade questioned Merc sounding unsure of his identity.

"For the love of bullets Cade. It's me, don't be an idiot. You know my original orders were to take out Maxson."

"Those are my orders now Merc."

"Your orders aren't programmed in like mine. Does it matter who as long as it's done?"

Cade hesitated then shrugged. Merc moved to stand on the other side of Maxson from Cade pulling me with him.

"Cover them." Merc ordered Cade as his armored hand pushed me to my knees next to him holding my shoulder firmly and switched his aim to Maxson's skull.

"On your knees Maxson."

Maxson's face darkened with rage, "You're an abomination Danse. I should have executed you myself at Bravo."

Merc's elbow hit him in the gut and Maxson bent and went to his knees. Several people took a step forward, but Cade's pistol halted them. Merc's gun muzzle pressed against Maxson's head and I was helpless to do anything as I saw his finger tighten on the trigger and pull it.

The rifle fired and Cade slowly slid to the ground with a look of utter surprise on his face that mirrored the rest of our expressions.

Danse helped Maxson to his feet, "Sorry Arthur. I couldn't shoot threw you safely and I had to get Tanna out of his direct line of fire also." Danse turned and pulled me to my feet gently.

"Danse?"

"Yell at me later soldier girl, we've still got work to do."

Everyone went into motion then, over coming their shock, grabbing up dropped weapons, moving to guard Maxson and unfortunately several took aim at Danse. Danse stiffened, but seemed to expect it. The Elder stared at Danse who met his gaze silent and unflinching.

Damn Danse. He's not going to even try to defend himself to Maxson.

"He just saved your life Arthur!" I yelled.

After a heart stopping moment Maxson signaled his men to stand down and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Elder, you need to recall your forces. It was all a set up. Remnants of the Institute planned all the attacks to get the factions fighting each other."

"I gathered the Institute was involved after seeing all the Synths attacking." He said dryly then turned to Kells, "Get our men back here at once."

Kells took off for communications as Danse spoke up, "We need to make sure the base is secured, but I believe I hear Prime in action again."

I looked at Danse and grinned, "Merc did it."

Elder Maxson cleared his throat, "Am I supposing we have you two to thank for Prime's reactivation also?"

"Actually Elder, it's three of us."

I turned to head for the flight deck and for the second time that night froze in place, "Mother of all Rad Storms." I gasped.

Everyone turned to see a lone Synth approaching the Prydwen's command deck through the blown hatch with a red beeping mini nuke clutched to it's chest.

The world seemed to drop into slow motion as everyone headed for the hatch, knowing if the Synth got inside and set off the mini nuke the Prydwen would go up in flames. As close as we were to the door, those seconds of frozen immobility were going to be our destruction.

Suddenly the thump thump of a vertibird was heard and an armored paladin dropped behind the Synth. It would have taken a mighty leap to reach the flight deck from the air, but he'd succeeded and wrapped his arms around the Synth lifting him in the air at the very steps of the Command deck.

His power armor was was scorched, plates damaged and splattered with blood, his helmet was gone and as he turned there were gasps from those behind me and I heard Maxson exhale, "My God!" For a brief second Merc made eye contact with Danse and I before turning and leaping over the side with his captive.

We ran forward and I screamed over the side as I watched him fall toward the waters below, "Merc!"

The nuke exploded as they hit the water spewing a great plume of molten fire and water high into the air. Danse leaped over the side to follow Merc clamping his helmet on as he fell. I sprinted back inside to my power armor as the others gathered at the flight deck railing gawking at the water below.

I came out and jumped over the rail dropping and smashing into the earth, then was sprinting along the shore line. I could see Danse's helmet rising out of the water and made a B-line for him. He was dragging a power armor suit behind him, armor plating gone, its frame bent and mangled and... empty.

Danse drug it up on shore falling to his knees and I dropped next to him. He threw his helmet on the ground gasping and I could see it wasn't from lack of air as he lifted his face to mine and shook his head sadly fighting the moisture that was gathering in his eyes. My own tears joined his.

Vault 75 had been cleared successfully without blowing it to bits which had taken a lot of persuading with regards to Elder Maxson and Desdemona. I felt no guilt reminding the two of saving Maxson's life, preventing the Prydwen's destruction as well as preventing a faction war to obtain their complete cooperation. It was more a surrender than a battle at the vault since most the Synths had been deployed to the battle for the Boston Airport where they were destroyed.

A month had passed since the battle at the Boston Airport. Danse and I were on the lawn before our home watching the night sky as we enjoyed a couple beers. His head was in my lap as my fingers ran thru his midnight hair unconsciously and I peered down at him.

"So how does it feel Sentinel Danse to be part of the Brotherhood once more?"

"Well Sentinel Steel, it is nice to walk about the Commonwealth without a helmet for a change."

I thumped his shoulder and laughed, "I know darn well you are thrilled about it."

His golden brown eyes stared up at my mine taking on a more serious expression,

"I have to admit, I gave serious thought to not rejoining. I have grown accustomed to being a soldier of the Commonwealth through the Minutemen. If the rank of Sentinel had not been offered, I'm pretty certain I would not have accepted for I feared the thought of orders that could keep me from tracking Kellogg since he's disappeared again, also orders that might take me far from our home and from you."

Leaning down my lips hovered over his, "I do believe that statement has earned you a kiss." and proceeded to offer a sweet one until we were interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

We looked up to see Trash Can Carla standing out in the street.

"Yeah, sorry to interrupt, but I've got a couple packages addressed to you both."

She handed one to me and one to Danse as he sat up. "Thanks Carla."

"Yeah, well I ain't a postman, but delivery paid well, so." She shrugged and lit a cigarette before moving off down the street.

"There's no return address on mine." I noted quizzically.

"Mine either."

Danse tore off his wrapping and ripped the box top off pulling out a small note,

"Whats the note say?"

"Figured you'd need these with her around." He lifted the inside wrapping to reveal a dozen stempaks.

By this time I had my package opened to reveal a pair of hand cuffs and noted they were etched with the words, Tough girl.

"He's alive!" I beamed at Danse, but was surprised to see his expression blank as he silently rose and

headed inside with his package.

I followed him into the house to find him standing in the middle of the living area. His eye's followed me as I entered, his features stolid. I set my package next to his on an end table as a suspicion began to grow in my mind. I moved to stand in front of him so close I had to tilt my head back a little so I had a close up view of his eyes and features as I squinted up at him,

"Why is it Danse you don't seem surprised?" No response. "Why are you not grinning from ear to ear, well okay, not doing that lip and eye crinkling thing finding out he's alive?" He remained deadpan while my anger did not.

My ire exploded, "You've known all along!" He flinched.

"You big pile of blow fly dung!" I kicked his shin. "You let me think he was dead!" I pouned my fist into his chest, which was a mistake cause it hurt my hand more than him. "You kept it from me all this time!"

His arms encircled me like a vise and pulled me close, his voice low and controlled, "We were in the middle of the Brotherhood's base. He was a Synth Tanna."

I didn't want to hear his explanations. "Maxson never would have accepted Merc, you know this."

My anger was ebbing, "You could have told me! All this time I thought..."

"Our grief had to appear real."

"You're both a couple of iradiated dimwitted bloated brahmins." I pouted. "So where is he?"

"My guess is the Capitol Wasteland."

"Do you think he'll ever come back Danse?"

"I have a feeling he will someday. Probably when there's trouble brewing."

Only a little tiffed now, I slipped my arms around him with a dubious look, "So how do I know you two haven't switched places again?"

Danse tightened his hold on me and captured my lips with his in a passionate kiss that made my knees weak. After a few minutes he lifted his head, his voice thick and low,

"Need any more convincing my little soldier girl?"

I gave him an sultry look, "Well maybe I need just a little more convincing."

Danse groaned, lifted me in his arms and carried me to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.

"What ever you need, I'll make it happen."

Much, much later, "Ad Victoriam."

-End-

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed my story and want to just thank you all for your comments and reviews. I'm still considering another story in the future regarding the tracking of Kellogg and the dangers that could lead our heros into. Thank you again for the support and for reading.