"What?!" Alexei asked in a state of genuine astonishment. Staring around the room, she recognised the same look on Ingram's face, while Quinlan and Teagan stayed rather impassive. Alexei rose from her seat and walked up towards Maxson, looking for an answer. He simply lifted his hand about shoulder height and she stood back, leaving him to continue.
"We must leave the Commonwealth temporarily as there are conflicts rising in the West, by Hoover Dam in New Vegas. Elder McNamara sent a message to the Council asking for aid against a battle coming from Robert House and his new right hand man, a Mojave Express courier named William Turner. Now though, I'm not bringing everyone along, otherwise all the hard work that we've done here in the Commonwealth could be undone in a short few hours, so Sentinel Coles will stay here along with a small platoon of Soldiers and Scribes and I will also allow her the use of a Vertibird. She will lead the Eastern Chapter in my absence as she will be the highest ranking officer present. Teagan and Quinlan will stay here aboard the Prydwen and Ingram will report to Coles as she continues the excavation of the Institute." He explained. The information seemed to sit well with everyone until Alexei spoke up.
"How could Robert House still be alive? He was a crazy entrepreneur back in my time and I hear that he hated the idea of being put in a vault, fighting Vault-Tec with any attempt that they had, concerning the construction of vaults, anywhere near his beloved Las Vegas."
"Reports suggest that House connected himself to his central computer at the top floor of the Lucky 38 Casino along the strip and turned his conscious mind into a fully sentient A.I, so that could explain his existence. Turns out he hired Turner for a job at first but offered him the position as his partner shortly after. Turner has been either hiring factions to his growing army or destroying the ones who get in his way. The Council want him dealt with immediately." Arthur replied.
Turning to address the Proctors, he raised his arm to his chest, in the Brotherhood's salute and said "Ad Victorium". As the Proctors and Alexei replied with the same salute, he told them that they were dismissed, but called Alexei back as she went to leave. When they were alone, he handed her a small tumbler of brandy, and sat down on the grimy couch that stood in the corner of the room, alongside his bed.
"You seem worried Coles, what's the matter" he asked, sipping his own drink.
"Thank you for trusting me to lead the Brotherhood while you're gone, but do you really believe that the soldiers will really listen to 'the woman outta time'?" Alexei asked, looking unsure of herself.
While Maxson was usually tight lipped and serious, his laugh was so loud and so sudden, It boomed throughout the small living space. She had to admit, the guy surprised her at times. Now though, he sat there on the couch, laughing loudly.
"You stare down Deathclaws at the end of your gun barrel, You tackle super mutants in your Power Armour and you keep the Everyman safe from harm with the aid of your Minuteman soldiers, but it's running the Brotherhood that has you this terrified? I must say Coles, you are an interesting character." Maxson said, nearly ending up spilling his drink all over himself.
After he had gained some composure over himself, he wiped a tear from his eyes and clearing his throat, he added.
"Don't worry Coles, You're as much a walking legend around here as I am. They'll listen to you and they'll do as you ask. They respect you but you must make sure that they know that you respect them as well. A leader is only as strong as his weakest links. I don't know why I'm explaining all this to you though, given how you already lead the biggest voluntary civilian militia in the entire Commonwealth."
"Thank you Arthur... That means a lot." Alexei said, raising her arm to her chest, she said "Ad Victorium Elder. May Steel be with you"
"Ad Victorium Sister"