Gate: Thus the Brotherhood of Steel Lyon's Pride Fought in Their Land

Chapter Twenty - Two - Owyn Lyons

Elder Lyons looked to see the first signs of the other chapters of the Brotherhood of Steel as the Vertibirds began to land. Giving the location of the Citadel had been something that he decided was worth the risk. As the Vertibirds landed he looked toward those stepping out. The first was wearing more traditional Brotherhood of Steel armor. The individual stepped toward him, and then removed the Helmet. He saw a woman that looked to be in her early forties. She gave a slight nod, "Elder Lyons?"

He nodded, "I am, welcome to the Capital Wasteland," he replied, "We are honored to have you here."

She gave a faint nod, "Thank you, I am Elder Lynda Davis of the Midwestern Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel," she replied as she looked at him, "Normally, I know that it would be the job of a Star Paladin or Sentinel to relay messages, but upon hearing the various bits of news, I felt it important to come myself."

He gave a grateful nod, "And we are pleased to have you here."

He noticed that Elder Davis' hair had been a flaming red at one time, but now it appeared that bits of gray had begun to take root. Not that it truly distracted from her beauty. The one true mar on her was the eyepatch she wore over her right eye, "I can only assume that you took the place of Elder due to your merits in combat."

She gave a faint smile, "Something like that," she replied, "Our previous Elder had no heirs," she replied, "Or didn't until he took me in. I had been something of a young thief, and I happened to sneak into the bunker they were housed in. When he saw how adapt I was at staying hidden he offered me a place among them."

She gave a small laugh, "Sorry, sorry," she said after a moment, "It's just good to remember the man I consider my father. He took me in, trained me, and I rose through the ranks. I ended up losing my eye in the defense of our headquarters. A few truly insane individuals attempted to overrun us, and they had managed to capture and release multiple wasteland beasts to assist them."

She looked toward the rest of the Citadel, "Still, we stood, we were victorious, and afterward I was named elder, but only because the previous was mortally wounded. Still, he died as he wished, leading us against an enemy."

Elder Lyons nodded, "Such is the true wish of all elders. To perish in the defense of all we hold dear."

She gave a nod, "That is indeed very true, and I could not agree more with you," she replied, "So, onward toward what we have arrived for. It is my understanding that we shall be receiving other chapters here today as well, correct?"

Elder Lyons nodded as he began to lead her toward the council chambers that were still used as such. The room had once been more ornate than it was now. Much of the more rotted bits of furnishings had long since been removed, and instead it functioned as a working council room. She made her way, and then looked toward him, "The other chapters?"

He studied her for a moment, "The New Jersey Chapter is coming, as is the West Virginia Chapter," he said before he held up hand to stop her commenting, "I understand that the two chapters do not see eye to eye, but both have volunteered to come and put differences aside. Part of the reasoning is that the recent actions of the Outcasts have marred the reputation of the New Jersey Chapter. They had intended to send aid to them, until their actions became that of common raiders."

Elder Davis shook her head, "What is the timeline we have to ensure that those that did not defect back to the Brotherhood are put down?"

Owyn looked around the room, "I wish that it weren't necessary," he said before looking at her, "Don't get me wrong, what they've done more than justifies their destruction. They need to be tried and executed, but a good many of them were individuals I led through the ruins of Pittsburg. They were brothers in arms, and now I must face the fact that they are little more than technologically advanced raiders. It is disheartening to say the least. I fear that the nights after what is needed has been done will be filled with angry visions."

Elder Davis stood, "And you would not be a good elder if it didn't bother you, but as you said it is necessary, so the timeline?"

He looked toward her, "We need to have them tracked, and dealt with, by month's end. It isn't impossible, but it will be difficult. However, we've been in contact with someone that is able to access all robots created by Robco. That individual is able to disable all Assultrons, Protectrons, Sentry Bots, and Brain Bots that they are using. He also believes he can turn them against them if needed, but he did warn that doing so meant disabling part of their protocols and thus would make them dangerous to all individuals."

She studied him, "That level of access shouldn't be possible," she said as she studied him, "For one, they would need to sneak up on every single robot, and I doubt that they could do so without being seen."

"Not exactly," another voice said. The Protectron that rolled into the room was far different than the traditional models. It seemed to move via a single wheel, a large monitor was located on its chest, and she could see a single camera on the top of it that was swiveling as it moved toward her, "I've decided to assist the Brotherhood of Steel for the time being. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Robert Edwin House, founder of Robco."

She looked at the screen, and then shook her head, "We believed Robert House to be dead, I'm assuming that you are a ghoul, correct?"

There was a faint laugh, "No," he replied, "I am inside of a status pod of my own design, although I did borrow much of how it operates from Dr. Braun. I simply improved upon his design."

She looked at him for a moment, "If that's true then you are one of the few individuals that know what happened before the bombs dropped," she remarked, "It means that you are a wealth of knowledge."

The same chuckle came from the speakers, "Yes, a wealth of knowledge, and I believe we both know that knowledge is power," he replied, "That said, I am willing to help because I see opportunity. There is an untapped world available for us, and I believe that it could serve as a place for us to establish a better civilization than what fell."

Elder Lyons nodded, "On this we are agreed," he replied, "However, I believe it is possible to also heal this world, to possibly return it to its former glory."

"While it's possible to return this planet to its former glory we cannot overlook the importance of this other world," Mr. House said from the odd protectron that he controlled, "We must establish a civilization there that will leave behind the idiotic fancies that led to the ruin of the previous civilization."

There was a moment of silence before Elder Davis stood, "What would those fancies be?"

The strange protectron turned toward her, "While I believe that personal freedom is warranted, I also believe that the former government that ran things was broken," he stated plainly, "I see errors that stood, and those errors must be removed. For one, the government itself splintered, losing most of the power of the Federal Government and returning most of it back to the States themselves."

There was a moment the screen flickered, but it soon seemed to right itself, "Think of that, think of how much time could have been saved if the core government had remained in place. If the decision of those with the best interest for the people were left in charge. Instead there were multiple members of congress all shouting at one another, declaring that they could not condone continuing a war, and fighting among one another until the Chinese attacked Anchorage. At that time, and not before, did they finally pull their collective heads from their asses and agree to stop the Chinese all together."

Elder Davis studied him, "So, you believe that a system like the Enclave would work?"

"No," he said, and the acidic tone of his voice came through the speaker just fine, "The Enclave is the broken system that was allowed to continue. It was the system that abandoned the American people, and the system that all but died when the bombs dropped."

She nodded, "On that we're in agreement," she replied as she looked at the monitor, "Although I would be lying if I said that I believe that your reason for assisting were truly altruistic."

There was a slight chuckle, "Oh, believe me, I am a man of business. Before the war I created Robco, I also purchased and ran much of what was Las Vegas, and I see no reason to not to continue being a man of business," he replied, "Elder Lyons sees a new world that assist this world, I see untapped potential that can be utilized and revitalize the world through commerce."

There was just a moment before he laughed, "A merchant once told me that the one thing that will save the world is trade," he stated, "At the time I considered him a foolish dreamer, but now I see what he meant. Trade will unite people, and it will bring people together peacefully. Everyone needs something, and if you are the one selling then they need you."

The protectron turned and began to roll out of the room they were in, "For now I am going to help with the broadcasters that has been recovered," he said as he moved from the room, "The more broadcasters that you all have, the more of a chance that you can access robots that have been left alone for two hundred years."

Elder Davis watched as he left before she looked at Owyn, "Elder Lyons," she said after he was gone, "I don't suppose I have to warn you about trusting someone that is that old."

He nodded, "Your words are wise, and they are understood. At no time do I fully trust Mr. House, but it would be unwise to ignore his usefulness."

She gave a slight nod, "No, I agree," she admitted, "From what he has said, and from what you've told me, I can tell he's useful. I just worry about the possibility of him turning on us."

He looked at her, "I've already had Rothchild working to ensure that our own robots are encrypted in such a way that access will be harder. Of course there is also another merchant that one of our paladins has made contact with. She's quite clever, and she has agreed to help ensure that potential remote access can be cut off if needed."

She looked at him, "How could she do that?"

He looked at her, and then he pulled out a book. The book itself was simple, bound together loosely by string and wire, it looked as if it was mostly printed on paper that managed to survive for two hundred years. She looked at the front, "The Wasteland Survival Guide?"

He nodded, opened it to the section, and showed her the section talking about accessing and controlling robots. She looked over it, and then looked at him again, "This merchant figured out how to access the mainframe at Robco, and using it she was able to have the robots on the sale floor go through and exterminate all of the molerats and radroaches?"

"Actually, her assistant was able to do so," he countered, "Yet, he did so using a device of her own creation. I am a firm believer that her device could be used to counter all remote access that Mr. House has."

She nodded, "I see, so we need to acquire this widgit of hers then."

He shook his head, "Not at all, it is already in place at Robco, and hooked directly to the Mainframe. We would need to alter its programing to ensure that it cuts all contact that Mr. House has with the robots remotely, and I believe that she should have the intelligence to do so."

She looked at the book, and then back at him, "Very well, I see no reason to not reach out to her. Have you already sent someone to visit with her?" she asked as she looked at him, "What of the paladin that made the initial contact?"

He shook his head, "Currently he is on the other side of the gate," he replied, "Although I believe that we can send for him. Actually, I think that sending for him again might be in our best interest anyway. There is another location that I would like for him to check for us. It originally was a Vault that had been abandoned for sometime, but recently there's been activity near it."

She studied him for a moment, "A Vault?" she asked, "Do you think that raiders have taken up residence inside of it?"

He shrugged, "We are unsure, but what access we've been told about seems to be almost like the ghost stories of old. People simply seem to go missing without a trace."

Elder Davis studied him for a moment, "Ghost stories are an understatement when it comes to Vaults," she replied, her voice calm, "I would much rather face a rampaging Deathclaw than walk willingly into a Vault."

He gave a nod, "And there is wisdom in those words as well," he replied, "However, our paladin that made the initial contact originally was born in a vault. One that is located here in the capital wasteland itself."

She studied him, "So, your paladin is a vault dweller," she shook her head, "The connections to the original history are too close. Perhaps the surviving vaults are breeding ground for those who are practically diamonds in the rough."

Owyn smiled, "Just so," he replied as the two of them watched the door open. This time it was a man dressed in traditional Brotherhood of Steel armor. A burn mark ran down the left side of his face, showing that it had almost been melted off, "Ah, would you happen to be from the West Virginia chapter?"

The man nodded, and looked at them both. He lifted something from his side, a small device that almost looked like part of a Pip Boy. He lifted it, and then connected it just below his head on his armor. He swallowed, and the room filled with static for a moment before they could hear a mechanical voice come from the device itself, "I apologize, I am Star Paladin Mayfield Richards. I am here on behalf of Elder Brooke. He sends his regards, but regrets that he cannot attend," the voice paused for a moment, "Elder Brooke is currently overlooking a trial which took precedence."

Elder Lyons looked at him and nodded, "I hope that it isn't too serious."

Star Paladin Richards nodded, "One of our Paladins betrayed us," he replied, "She turned over the codes for entry into the Vault we are using, gave away the locations of our various armories that we use for emergencies, and decided to aline herself with a group of bandits. We suppressed their actions, but her trial had to happen before he could come."

Elder Lyons gave a solem nod, "I am very sorry to hear that," he said, "Especially since it was one of your own which betrayed him."

He studied him for a moment, "It was his daughter," he said after a moment, "She did what she did out of love, or I suppose it was out of love. The one she joined was slain, and now she awaits her judgement."

Owyn shook his head. The very thought of having to put Sarah on trial for betrayal made him shiver. He wasn't sure that he could do it, and it spoke of Elder Brooke's mental strength if he was able to do so. Would he be able to uphold the laws put down by Elder Maxson? Would he be able to put her to death for her betrayal?

Owyn knew that if it was him it would be impossible. There would be no way that he could put Sarah to death. He couldn't force her to stand before a firing squad, or take her deep into the wasteland and leave her with nothing. Either was a death sentence. Either was the very last action that could be taken. The firing squad would be more merciful than being marched out into the wasteland with nothing but a basic set of clothing.

There would be no weapons, no chance of surviving, just facing the absolute certainty of death, "Very well," he said before he looked toward the door, "We should have one more joining us before we begin the meeting. Paladin Richards, do you require anything?"

The paladin studied him for a moment, "A bottle of purified water, if you have any, would be welcomed."

The elder moved toward a relic of a bygone era. The antique water cooler was something that had been inside of the Citadel well before they had taken it over, but new bottles had been found, filled with the purified water from the Jefferson Memorial, and placed throughout the Citadel itself. He filled a styrofoam cup and handed it to the paladin.

He held it, seemed to study it a moment, and then took a drink, "Would this be the purified water from the massive purifier?"

Elder Lyons nodded, "It is," he replied, "Purified water that is more than enough for the entire Capital Wasteland. The plans for the purifier itself have been taken and endeavors are being made to ensure that they make it to most of the other larger settlements."

Paladin Richards nodded, "That is good, there is a need for it all over," he replied the mechanical voice not quite catching the inflection of the words, but the unburned portion of his face showed an expression of understanding, "Still, what we are meeting here today is just as important."

Elder Lyons nodded, "Yes, we will be discussing the Gate itself, and we will be discussing what needs to happen with the Outcasts."

Paladin Richards looked at him, "Those that have not rejoined should have a trial, I know we are not officially meeting, but it would be only right. They were part of us, and they should be tried by our laws."

"It's not so cut and dry," Elder Davis replied, "They've become raiders. From what we've learned they're little more than technological advanced raiders, and that technological advancement means that they are far more dangerous than traditional raiders. As such, I propose that they be handled like raiders. We should adopt a shoot first and then sort them out policy."

"That wouldn't work," a new voice said as the door opened. The man stepping into the meeting was wearing Brotherhood armor, but it was painted to reflect a black and silver. His eyes were that of a hunters, and he stood with his hair cropped and cut close, "Elder Shin of the New Jersey Chapter. Elder Davis," he said with a slight bow, "I fear that your thought of kill them all and let God sort them out would be the wrong message."

She looked at him, "And why is that?"

He studied her, "We need a united front. I am myself very much a traditionalist, much like my father before me, but I see the need to protect the citizens around us. I believe that there is a chance to ensure a revival of the world itself, but if we are to do it we need to hold to our laws. That means capturing, trying them for their crimes, and then executing them."

Elder Lyons studied him for a moment, "I understand your point, but our laws also have much to say about raiders, their actions, and what should be done with them."

Elder Shin gave a nod, "That it does," he replied, his voice calm and collective, "But, this is a special situation. We are dealing with raiders that were formerly members of the Brotherhood of Steel. The moment they splintered off from your chapter they became rogue. It was when their actions took a step toward raiders that their fate was all but concluded."

He breathed out, "I understand your thoughts, and I have no illusions that all of them will be able to be brought in. We will do well with getting half, and even that I fear will be a generous number," he stated, "But, it is something we have to do. We have to show them, our own chapters, and of course the others not here than we will follow our most sacred laws."

Elder Lyons nodded, "Yes, I see your point," he admitted, "I will ask those who go searching for them to attempt to bring them in, but I will not ask them to further endanger themselves. If they are unable to do so without grave danger, then they are to simply deal with them there."

Elder Shin nodded, "I would ask no more."

"Yes, this is a sound idea," the mechanical voice of Paladin Richards replied, "I have no doubt that it will work well."

Elder Davis shook her head, "No, it has a massive chance of coming back to bite all of us. Especially if they have access to any ammunition that would be devastating on a larger scale."

Elder Lyons nodded, "I agree, which is why we've taken such lengths to secure all nuclear arsenal. The last thing we want is any rogue element deciding to repeat the great war."

There was three collective nods agreeing with him, and then Elder Davis finally stood, "Then if we have an idea of what we're going to do, I propose that we begin," she replied, "I absolutely want to see this gate, and I absolutely want to see the resources that have been described. But more so I want to ensure that the citizenry understands that the Outcasts are not the Brotherhood. I also don't want them to spread out any further than they already are."

Elder Lyons nodded, walked toward a terminal, and sat down in front of it. He typed in a few commands and a projector came to life. They turned toward the screen as it began to fill with the sights of various suits of power armor that were painted black with red stripes on them. Seeing them they watched as the stills showed the patrols, the numbers that usually were out, and then how often they engaged the locals.

"Most of the information we have on the Outcasts are before they went raider," Elder Lyons stated as the screens changed, "It was actually our Paladin that I spoke to Elder Davis about earlier that brought the first signs of them going raider. They had a plot that involved killing me, kidnapping my daughter, and ensuring that their head was made elder./"

They watched as he stood, "Our Paladin reported that their head's power armor malfunctioned, and in doing so he was mortally wounded," he stated as he pointed toward the screen, "So, they are without formal leadership. I can only imagine that they've decided to take the idea of gathering all technology to a level that includes killing all that possess it."

Elder Davis shook her head, "That's insane," she said as she looked at them, "That is a perversion of what Elder Maxson had intended."

Owyn nodded, "It is, but then again we must think that if they have been indoctrinated into this belief for as long as they were, and they believed it to the point that they did, then it only makes sense that they decided those living in the wastes are expendable. It is exact opposite that I promote here," he said, his voice sounding remorseful and pained, "I look at them, and I see my greatest failure."

Elder Shin nodded, "Yes, their leaving was a failure, but not on your part," he replied as he studied the pictures, "It is a failure of our ability to adapt and change. As I stated before I am a traditionalist, but that does mean that I understand that there is a need for the first laws set down by Elder Maxson. His second set of laws didn't come in until he understood that there were too few of us to adequately do what he had originally intended."

Elder Davis looked at him and nodded, "The moment our numbers were bolstered we should have gone back to the original laws, but by that time Elder Roger Maxson was already dead," she stated, "Those that came into power after him decided to completely abandon the first laws, and they decided the second laws were all that mattered."

"We were meant to save people," Paladin Richard's mechanical voice piped in, "We were meant to ensure that security of the people."

Elder Lyons nodded at them, "Exactly, that is our duty, and we must uphold it. Doing so will likely take time. I doubt that all of the other chapters will so willingly adopt our views."

Elder Davis shrugged, "We have to begin somewhere, it might as well be here. Know that the West Virginia Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel stands with the Capital Wasteland Chapter."

"As does the New Jersey Chapter."

"I cannot speak to my Elder, but I believe that the Midwest Chapter stands as well."

Elder Lyons nodded, "And know that the Capital Wasteland Chapter stands with all of you," he replied, "Should the need come to request extra knights and paladins we will send all that we are able to send."

There was a shared nod, "Very well," Elder Davis said as she stood, "Then, I propose that we begin hunting."