Charm of the Ghoul
"We Must annex those people. We can afflict them with our wise and beneficent government. We can make them ashamed of their simple and primitive justice."
- Mark Twain
I always curse at myself for being such a nervous wreck. I was mentally incapable of being a security officer for the Vault, yet I was given the job and I had to suck it up...
It wasn't until after the invasion, where my instincts and adrenaline finally took over my nervous tendencies... Sure, the raid on Hark was just warming me up for what's to come. But those where orders, what happened during the invasion was pure instinct.
...
Nage dragged the merc and threw him unto a chair. The room was only lit by a small lantern that was likely left behind by the Fangs. I walked in front of him, "Do you remember me?" I asked. It has only been 6 days since the Vault's invasion but I was still shaken by his presence. I needed to be strong for this confrontation, so I tried putting on a very tough voice.
"I don't" He said in a gruff voice.
"Let's have you take a closer look then" I nodded to Nage, who pulled him to stand closer to my face.
He takes note of my jumpsuit, which by now is dirty and somewhat ripped, but the yellow font letter and numbers "O-26" was still clearly visible on my jumpsuit collar.
"No way... You're one of those Vault dwellers.."
I pushed him back into his chair where he nearly stumbled out of. "6 days ago, you and a handful of other men broke into our vault, and slaughtered a lot of people. You are going to tell me why."
"And why should I?" he said in a sneer voice.
I looked at Nage, who caught my signal and threw a hard punch into his face. He grunted loudly to the punch.
"Because if you don't, my friend here will have a fun time with this new punching bag I brought him." I said.
"Ohhh and I love punching things, and if skin ain't enough..." Nage said, pulling something out from his pocket. "I get to use me one of these..." He showed merc a brass knuckle and subtly aimed it toward his softer parts including his abdomen and his groin.
"Let's start easy, how many men were you with?"
"Fuck off..."
I nodded to Nage again, giving him another punch across the face. "Nguh!" he grunted.
"How. Many."
"T-Thirty. We came with thirty men."
"I counted 27 were in the vault shooting at us"
"Three stayed behind, cooking dinner for us. It was going to be an easy operation." So far so good, but I have a feeling when I get to the harder questions, he'll be more resilient to answering them.
"Now that wasn't so bad. Next question, what were you looking for in the vault?
"I won't say"
Another nod to Nage brought a fist to the merc's face. He grunted.
"What were you looking for?"
"Fuck you!"
Nage brought his fist lower this time, hitting his chest. he grunted out loud began drooling blood.
"Ok! Ok! I'll tell you...!"
I walked closer to him and lifted his head. "I'm waiting."
"We have done this to other vaults... we were just following orders I swear...!"
"Out with it! What were your orders!?"
"The official order states: Purge all inhabitants in the Vault"
I internally gasped, but I kept my face straight. They've done this to other vaults? Totally eliminating everyone?
"Your vault were far more equipped than we anticipated. Our team wasn't enough to take you all down, but we couldn't leave until the job was done."
"You took our WaterChip to ensure our survival wasn't possible..."
"Yes. Yes-Yes we took your WaterChip. That means you're finished. We completed our task, and everyone in that damn Vault will die out!"
He chuckled a bit before Nage lunged another fist into his abdomen. I knelt down to his level so I could see into his eyes.
"That's when you're wrong."
"The Vault still has hope, They sent me out here to find our WaterChip, or find a new one."
"You're insane, you and your entire Vault. If they think you could be their hope, they're dead wrong. You don't have what it takes to be out here."
"Maybe, but the fact that I'm not tied to a chair, being interrogated by a vault dweller, and roughed up by his associate. I'm pretty sure you'll be the breakthrough I need."
"T-The fucking Order will wonder where I went! You won't do SHIT!"
"The Captain himself disposed you, whatever happens to you will be unrecorded. I said with a dark smile."
I walked across the room and began to pace around our guest.
"Now, whatever happens to you is not up to me, but up to you. If you give me the right information."
"Next question. You will tell me, who sent you."
"I'm keeping my mouth shut, no matter what you do to m-EUAH!" Nage interrupted his sentence with another strike to his abdomen wearing his brass knuckles.
I waited for him to cough out more blood then asked him once more who sent him and his team to annihilate the Vault.
"F-Fuck you... Fuck you... I.. wont say... Fuck you..*cough*...Fu..." I stood back up and lifted his head with his chin.
I reveal to him a syringe, a Stimpack. A lesser pain reliever, than UltraStims but it can dub the pain that is bringing his body down. "See this? This will help. I can inject this in you and it will get rid of the pain. Just tell me. Who. Sent. You."
I heard in a Holodisk that they did this mission for a "Tryios" person. But I asked the question anyways to see if he will tell me more than just a name..
"Tryios...It was Tryios.. he sent us.. I swear.."
I lowered the syringe to his shoulder and injected the reliever into his system.
He let out a long sigh of relief, as the Stimpack takes effect.
"Alright. Tryios. Have any idea where he is?."
"Worcester"
Worcester? That's the next place the Order is going to hit.
"Those Fangs. They're really dedicated for a bunch of hired guns, do they also work for Tryios?"
"Yes"
"Were they payed well?"
"Yes, but they did it not just for the caps."
"Why did Tryios hire you and the fangs to do such big operations? Don't you think it's kinda odd, a guy hiring such muscle."
"You clearly don't know Tryios."
"Who is he?"
"Tryios runs CitySquare in Downtown Worcester. I'm pretty sure it's bigger than Tersha. He hires the Fangs as his town's security."
"And he convinced his security to go destroy and take over Paxton while sending a smaller cell to kill everyone in a Vault?"
"The Fangs know nothing about the Vault, just the Elite like myself... Tryios only meant to take Paxton to expand his defencive borders for CitySquare. Something went wrong when they first met the inhabitants, and now it's a total warzone."
"I don't get it, why would he want to expand his borders?"
"That's all you're getting from me.."
"Should I get my associate to change that?"
"Do what you want! You're not getting another word from me"
By now, he's used to punches to the face, chest, abdomen. I nodded at nage and pointed at his groin.
"What. No NO!"
I could practically hear his pair crack when Nage launched his bronze knuckles into his groin. He curled up and began coughing more blood.
"Y-Y-YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES...AGHHhh!"
Nage picked him up from the ground and planted him on the chair.
"Now then. I believe we only cracked one, we could crack the other if-"
"NO! NOT AGAIN! GOD NO PLEASE...!"
"Oh.. I don't know, you were pretty sure I wouldn't get another word from you. Associate, have you heard him saying that?"
"I heard him saying that, sir,"
"He heard you saying that, buddy."
"Yes! I said that! I changed my mind! For fuck sakes!"
"Good! Now tell me, Where is Jento's Rock?
"Jento's rock...is our Mercenary headquarters. It's east from your Vault hidden in a town called Sterling..."
"Sterling.. alright."
"Let me go... please..."
"We'll need alot more than that."
"I'm not saying another word! I'm as good as dead anyways!"
"Good as dead, huh?"
I walked up to him lifted my fist and punched him out of chair. He grunted.
I lifted him up to my face to say something, but was interrupted when he spat blood at my face.
With my patience spread thin, I dragged him to the wall and threw him face first into it. He stumbled to his knees but I kicked him over. During all of this, my mind was in conflict, I didn't care much for whatever information he has anymore. This interrogation turned into a vengeance calling. Seeing fellow officers die in front of me fueled the drive to do this, to release that bottled hatred I had for this kind of scum. Punch after punch I continuously unleashed knuckle to his cheeks, ribs and chest.
"Why'd you do it?! Huh?!"
Nage stood there with his arms folded, watching me shake him by his shoulders.
"Was it all for Caps? Were all those men's lives worth it?! They had families!"
The merc began to chuckle again, "What's so funny? You think this is funny?!"
"No no... It's just something you just said.. Families..."
"Yes, those officers you killed had families."
"Heh... hav-have you thought about the people you killed so far?"
"What do you mean?"
"The mercs you killed, I bet you never looked them in the eyes before you kill them. Just a bag of meat to shoot."
"And...? I bet you've done the same when you invaded us."
"If I didn't knew what was at stake I would have never had attack your vault. We're not blood hungry mongrels, you fuck..."
"What was at stake?!"
"The mercs you killed... You know they have families too right? You just thought they were demons or whatever bullshit that vault taught you. We're so devoted because we're protecting our own. That's what Tryios promised us.
"You attempted to kill off a vault to protect your own? That makes no sense!"
"I'm only saying for the men you killed, all the men the Order has killed, and all the men that will never see home again."
"Stop avoiding the question! What was at stake!? Why did Tryios order this?!"
"You feel that don't you? That urge you have. You nearly did it earlier... to kill someone for everyone. It was the urge we all had, we all knew it had to be done..."
I pulled out my beretta and planted it on his temple.
"Now you got it! Welcome to the fucking wasteland, asshole!"
"Shut up you piece of shit!"
"Incase you didn't know, I got a family too!"
The beretta suddenly felt heavy. I kept it to his head though, staying silent.
"Two daughters, waiting for me in Sterling. But they won't see me, same for alot of children there!"
My hand shakes, I was so conflicted with this, but I was so fueled with rage. Nage just continued to watch,
"You can't do it.. "
"Shut up"
"You're too scared and angry,.."
"Shut the hell up"
"You dwellers are soft, living in luxury while everyone out here suffers. Find another father out here, and he'll tell you what I did is justified if he gets the full brief. But you dwellers look down on at it as if we could be better people."
"I'm telling you to shut up"
"We can't get better... The Federation are surely trying their best, but then you see all the killing their doing... You think it's all for good because they look clean... they look like you, but they're not... You think the dirty and poor are savages don't you?
"..."
"Those Dwellers deserved to die."
BANG!
...
Having left the house, Nage and I walked to catch up with our Knight friend.. Makos watched after the handcuffed Fangs, getting ready to be taken away via truck. Keeping his Pulse rifle aimed at the Fangs, he waved to us and we waved back as we walked toward him.
An officer yelled something, queuing the Fangs to stand up and begin to load into the truck. We walked up to Makos who was standing next to the truck. "There you guys are! Ah've been looking around ya for a bit 'fore the officer called me to watch a pack of Fangs."
"We just had some business to take care of, how are things holdin' up, Makos?" said Nage.
Makos shouldered his rifle as the truck holding the Fangs drove away, "I think I saw Gerro
'gotiating with some of the Federation's officers, 'bout what's gonna happen to this town."
"Are they going to annex this town?" I asked.
"Ah'm 'fraid so. No matter what Gerro pushes in that conversation, the Federation will annex this town. I think he already knows that too."
"Annexation was a reason he didn't want the Order's help. I had to push him to finally corporate with them... now his town's being taken over." I said with a more bothered voice. Even though the battle for Paxton was over, he's lost so many of his kin, his home destroyed, and now must face whatever rule the Federation will bring here. I felt horribly bad for all of this, I find it completely hard to convince myself that there wasn't a better option.
"Quit being all gloomy, smoothskin." said a familiar raspy voice
"Gerro...? I thought you were-"
"Yeah. Negotiations were a little short, cuz ol Gerro was calling the shots."
"You what now?" Said Makos.
"Ya know what their 'deal' was? That after annexation, they'll protect us while we rebuild the place. As in just me and my kin."
Gerro pulled out a cigarette and used a lit it with his lighter.
"I said: 'Ey, dumb fuck. Just cuz I'm a tribal don't mean I'M a dumb fuck. We helped you guys out in that last charge, and did what you guys couldn't do for three months. I expect somethings a little more compensating than just your 'protection' ya hear?' The fucker was caught off guard that I even spoke english. I swear, smoothskins from the south ain't that sharp am I right? No offence, Mack"
"None taken." said Makos.
"So then I says: 'Here's what is going down. I know you feds are gonna annex this town, I'm well aware of all your taxes and whatever bullshit government you got. I'm willing to follow that shit if you'll be willing to follow on some'o MY terms.' He tried interrupting me but I kept yapping: 'ah-ah! Not done yet smoothskin, My terms shouldn't be that hard for you feds. Yeah, I'm gonna rebuild this place, but you're gonna donate your men to help with the reconstruction, and supply the materials needed.' After that, I signed some papers. The officer had the nerve to say 'you can just use your thumb print if you can't wri-' but I just snapped at him. When the papers were signed, we shook hands and I made my way here."
"Wow, Gerro. I didn't think you were quite the negotiator." said Nage.
"Just the charm of the Ghoul, friend. Charm of the Ghoul." he said jokingly.
We all stood there laughing for a good while. Things turned out to be ok, after all. Already, Lingerers and volunteer Knights began work on what the new Paxton will look like. We all went to a nearby Order tent to grab a meal.
We spent the day celebrating the victory, Gerro's kin made campfires all around serving more of that delicious Bovine stew, bringing out handmade drums, flutes, and rattles to play music.
This kind of music was unlike anything I have ever heard, Nothing like the music on the radio, or on the vault's archives. The beat was fast, and the melodies created by flutes and rattlers were tonal.
Later, I sat on top the hood of one of the Order's Humvee's. I watched as Makos and a few Knights attempt to mimic the dance the Lingerers were doing, one of the Knights stumbled to the ground and a good laugh was had.
Nage was sitting on a tire, drinking with Gerro standing next to him.
This was exactly like the moment everyone had back in the Lingerer's base in the metro. I believe I witnessed one of the wasteland's few little miracles: Happiness to be spread, and harmony among people who hardly knew each other.
I just wished this could apply to the entire wasteland, but from what I witnessed so far. There is just no stopping it, we can only enjoy what little there is to enjoy. I looked up to the stars, I was still amazed on how infinite the sky is. I tried making shapes by imagining lines between stars, but before long I felt very sleepy.
It has been an exhausting day, slowly... I drifted to sleep to the sound of music and laughter.
...
The next morning, Nage and I were packed up and ready to return to Tersha. We realize that with the little ammo we had left, and the spent supplies we used, we'll need to restock ourselves in Tersha.
Before we left, Gerro was holding a Memorial service for those who died in the fighting. We all stood in a large patch of dirt within a fenced area that used to be parking lot. Many graves were made, holding both Lingerer and Knight. Their names, been scratched on the graves by a Knife.
Knights and what remains of Gerro's kin were all standing alongside Gerro.. The knights, helmetless, and heads bowed. Gerro stood in front of the crowd.
"Today we honor the men who died fighting to free this town. Former rivals among tribes stood together and died together here. Along with Knights to whom believe were returning the favor when they offered their own help in our cause. Not because they were ordered to, Not because they sought personal gain, but because they shared the same honest hearts that my Kin had.
Knight and Tribals fought and died together here... The fallen will never be forgotten, not from our cold, dead hands. May their sacrifices carry bravery and righteousness into our hearts."
Everyone bowed their heads, and stayed their mouths for a moment of silence.
Later, we said our goodbyes to some of the Knights and Lingerers we got acquainted with. We made our way to Gerro and Makos, who were still at the graveyard.
"We're going back to Tersha now.. So I guess this is goodbye." I said.
"Damn, I was actually wishin' that you'd help rebuild the place." said a chuckling Gerro
"I wish I could, but I have something to deal with, and I don't exactly have an infinite amount of time,"
"I understand, friend. Thank you, for everything."
"I... Didn't do much though... The amush wasn't something I planned.. or-"
"Instead of leaving us to continue your mission, you stayed behind and convinced me to side up with my second most hated enemy. We didn't exchange alot, but it was something in your voice and face that convinced me to give those poor bastards those UltraStims."
Gerro patted my neck, "You keep doing what you do, I'll never forget this. No one here ever will." he said smiling, something I don't usually see from Gerro.
"Neither will I" said Makos.
"This kiddo is volunteering to stay and help rebuild Paxton." said Gerro.
"Yeha, Captain Tarrish said I was under his command while ah'm here. Sure am glad that I got to know you both, I wish ya luck."
"No.. we'll meet again. I'm sure of it." said Gerro.
We waved them goodbye and started making our way back to Tersha.
...
About a days worth of walk took us to another burnt out building, Tersha was just behind a hill but Nage suggested that we stay at the burnt house for the night since we were both tired.
The next morning we ate our provisions for breakfast and began talk walk again.
"Don't your PipBoy thing have a radio?" said Nage, a few minutes in our walk.
"Oh yeah, I haven't really listened to the radio, let's see what's on."
Switching to the Radio tab showed there was only one frequency available, The Federation propaganda channel. I decided, what the hell. and played it.
Hope, my friends. Hope is something that is hard to find in a world like this. You can try your luck finding it on your own, or you can join hands with the Washington Federation. The Federation can offer you the hope you're looking for, all it asks in return is your Federation sends out the Revolutionary Order to bring justice and proper civility among those who need it most.
"Ah. Not this bullshit again." said Nage.
"Just let him finish talking, he'll play something eventually..." I said.
"I'm gonna look ahead" Nage said as he jogged a bit to scope down the hill.
Nage then stopped his tracks, and just stared blankly at something, mouth wide open.
"Nage? What's wrong?" I asked, he was a about a yard ahead of me looking down the hill. I hastened my walk to stand beside him.
"Nage...?"
"They fucking did it..." he said.
"Did what?" I asked, he then pushes my face down the hill, soon my eyes widened.
It was Tersha, bustling with more people than ever, but drastic changes has been made... Hanging from the construction crane that became the signature for Tersha, waves a long, blue banner... with yellow stars and stripes.
There is strength in trust, my friends. Trust is what the Federation is all about. The FEDERATION is the golden door to the Hope you seek! The bread you hunger! The water you thirst! The happiness you oh so longed for! Will you look out for that door?! I know... It's hard to see, in this dark dark world. But fear not:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!