This one will be a long fic with a lot of chapters, I already write the concepts. Since I don't play as Nora in Fallout 4 because Nate for me is the real protagonist the personalities and ideas are pretty fanbased from another fanfics I read
If you are very very very delighted with one fic and want a continuation I didn't write or post you can donate me at least $5 bucks, most of this fics have next chapters I don't finish because lack of motivation but hey a $5 is a $5, I see a few reviews and coments that fics that are abandoned months laters receive coments of wanting to know what happends next. Here it is, I finished my handling with you all, enjoy the fic
He did in fact his homework.
Gather a meeting with every head rank in the Prydwen and bases around the Commonwealth, all must arrive before the dinner time he promised the sentinel, this was important, she was a sentinel.
Everyone confirmed, some know about the operation less than the others, even the four paladins of the brotherhood that were the tanks of the operation with her were there.
-Why I wasn't informed? –ask Arthur to all the people reunited- this was like a big party surprise gift but this is not the way
-Because…-a scribe talked- because of the The Chain That Binds, she investigated and use that old brotherhood rule, that rule, despite we don't kinda use it here in our everyday we cant just say no, is beneath us, her rank is very beneath all of us, she is the only one here almost as important as you
-In fact you are the only one a superior rank of her -said a Lancer around, calling Maxson attention.
He bite his tongue, is right, that is a undeniable brotherhood rule, it affected operations as it was seen now that's why he decided to…not really use it himself or with the paladins and knights, but is unbreakeable and it existed, it is right.
-Still none of you, even the paladins informed me anything.
-We don't have to, she is our superior, we respond to her commands, we cant go a higher rank from her
-But we never do things like that before –said Maxson.
-I understand, but she is right –said an scribe- the chain that binds is important, and a cause of severe repercussion to not follow specially if is summoned by someone so important as a sentinel
-It was actually a small operation from the brotherhood, only the four of us were asked to get laser ammunition, gamma mines and rifles, not much more.
-More ammo that anything –another paladin nooded next to the one he said that.
-A considerable amount? –asked Maxson
-Pretty much I would say, neither of the four of us can disobey but we did understand when we arrived there that day, the idea for us was to be the front tanks, she also was with a power armor.
-A mercenary she has around, third party, shut down the people on the towers and patrol, first step of the operation
-When they realized that their people was been taking down a group came from the insides of the hardware store to defend the surroundings, a group of Minutemens appeared shooting to be the bait, and as they approatched, a supermutant called Strong emerged from behind the group of civilians, he was crawling until he was close enough to start taking down raiders with a hammer -Arthur crossed his eyebrows, he said a supermutant? –I know, it was hard to believe, but we cant defy her
-How long since this happened?
-Day and half
-The sentinel Nora also started to shoot Fatmans on the groups of raiders where Strong wasn't around, the small group of Minutemens took another positions to shoot with normal bullets, normal guns, modified
Arthur was trying to imagine the situation.
-We were on the wait behind some old cars with another groups of Minutemens, Nora was clinged on a energy post with Sthealt Boys, the mercenary protected her from being shoot since the Fatmans were very obvious were they came from and she couldn't just change positions from the highs
-Yeah but it was necessary, fatmans doesn't go very far away –another Paladin nooded
-The supermutant and the minutemens fighted until no one wanted to come out from the hardware store.
-He was also, intelligent, cooperate with the Minutemens that came in his help to assit him with steampacks.
-Well he was necessary, and obey to her commands
-You worked along the supermutant? –Ask Maxson
-Not necessary around, she knew to make us stay away from him, and clear that subject from the beginning we joined the mission
-Not freacking touch the supermutant paladin, he will do as I say –repeated a paladin and the others agree. –it was strange but we cant…say no to a sentinel
Everyone was so submerjed into the story, like a tale.
-When the homicidal rampage ended, he just stayed there and went to the energy post were the fatmans where launched, left the hammer behind in the floor and wait for her to appear from the invisibility.
-And just catch her in the air when she jumped down the ground, like It was nothing.
-Also she trow away the fatman before jumping, I tried to recover it later but it smashed and break, no use.
Maxson took air from the nose, impressed.
Yeah, crazy stories where common, he was open to believe them too.
-Theres someone else in the brotherhood that can confirm your story? –asked Maxson
-You don't believe us elder?
-Is hard to even imagine that she jumped from the air to a supermutant arms –said Lancer Kells
-Besides that I don't want to send a patrol of our men believing in a organized story, as you know sentinel Nora has others conections beside the brotherhood of steel, I don't care what fame the Minutemens has of being weak, she is a very capable person to do whatever and I don't want to be toy with someone who is not 100% brotherhood–said Maxson not feeling shame of being cautions
The four paladins looked at each other actually pretty annoyed for not being trusted by their dearest elder.
-I know that the last stage of the sentinel plan was to convert the hardware store into a brotherhood base…let me offer myself and my squad to be the first ones to set there if you doubt of us…and our habilities…-said one of the paladins, Maxson move a hand to his chin.
-Let me offer my squad to arrange the preparations for the set up and armory for the future base then, while the squad number one arranges the organization for the set up of our brotherhood mens and commodities, squad number two will prepare the guns, ammunition, turrets…anything we need to defend that post.
-And my squad will plan along with the scribes the best way to get rid of the enemys around, the supermutant and raiders settlement not so far from the hardware store –said a third paladin.
The last paladin didn't offer anything
-Ill stay here as a guarantee that I was on that mission and I stand with the brotherhood.
-You are putting a lot of thrust –said a Lancer around the room
-Sir, we were there, if you don't like our answer go with a ventibird there, a group of Minutemens will receive you, me and my squad will scort and protect you –said the paladin who offer to set up there.
Maxson cut the chat there with a single hand gesture, he didn't want to cause a fight.
-Don't you trust sentinel Nora? –asked the paladin who offer to search for the armory needed to defend the base.
-It all sounds just so perfect to not…have doubts –said a knight around.
-She destroyed the institute, almost alone –Arthur spoke loud, he cant let people on his command to have serious doubts about the rank bellow him, after all he was the one giving her that rank, if they don't trust her they wouldn't trust him and his choices of who he is promoting, better be carefull of how this conversation is managed –well be always thankfull with the sentinel for the excellent work, same with you all paladins, but we all be cautious too like always and with anybody, no matter the importance of its rank –the face of Danse crossed his mind for a second and put that thought away-expect me to arrive in that hardware store any time, start preparations and reforms, I want to see the brotherhood units working on that place, Ad Victoriam –as soon he finished the conversation, everybody in the room made the classic old gesture of the hand in the chest, Arthur open the door, and everyone retired…
Now…about that dinner…
Nora went to the dinner just with makeup, brotherhood clothes, she barely used them but this time seemed…important…is been long time since anyone invited her to a dinner but this was just work anyway, a pair of soldiers scolted her to Maxson cuarters.
Wooow he had a really big department, she had only been in the reunion saloon but it had corridors to go to some other places like a big living room! It wasn't anything really expensive, just a big room with a big table with a lot of chairs...and a proyector…and a chalkboard, obviously all for business.
There was candles over the table and a big feast, which surprised Nora a lot.
-I don't think I ever seen this much food since I wake up from the cryo pot, its anyone joining us?
-Not for today, if everything goes fine over the days I plan to trow a small party, having a new base are excellent news for everyone. Please sit –Arthur pulled out a chair in front of the one that will be his and the woman made her way to sit, he went to his own chair and grab a folk –serve yourself as much you want, no need to hesitate –Nora nooded and went to grab a salad pot, serve a little on her plate and also grab a bottle of whine.
-So did you make your protocol research? –she said chluking a bit, Maxson blushed a bit of shame but he answer accordly.
-Yes…the four paladins were here –he wouldn't tell her that a full consultation committee was here to doubt her words.
-A funny afternoon we all had don't we?
-Indeed, jumping in the supermutant arms from a 20mts post is not something you do everyday –the bottle shaked In Noras hand as she was puring the liquid into the glass.
Her face changed, turning down the bottle and also her gaze.
-Strong is a third party not part of the brotherhood, you cant ask me to execute him –oh no, Arthur swallowed saliva-I will not encourage anyone different to be around the brotherhood business for their own safety.
-Its not about that –Arthur raised a hand, he didn't want to move the chat over that dark place- I just mention it because it sounds so brave and amazing and…
-He is an smart supermutant, dumb but also capable of reason, he can obey, understand, follow and comprehend conversations and commands, is a valuable asset for me and the Minutemen.
-Sentinel –he call her attention, she looked at him with an actually menacing look that put Arthur a bit uncomfortable-the paladins told me about the moment you get on your power armor and smashed the front doors the five of you, taking all the shoots
-I feared that they would trow explosives at us but apparently they had the same fear as I with the chemicals, we take the front shoots and when most of them where on the floor with laser burns the minutemen enter into action to tackle down the rest, we were fortunate that they didn't want to shoot inside the hardware store and directly when to fight us by hand.
-It was so severe that if you shoot real ammo with gun pouder everything will explode? –he said as he picked up some cheese and ate
-I don't know, im no expert, but the reality is that there weren't carring much gun power and decided to not use them on us when we enter-Nora started to play with the fork in the plate, making Arthur strange about it
-Where are this raiders now? –he picked up a plate of meat and started cutting up, not loosing attention of her movements over the food
-The ones alive, hostages, undecided what to do with them, the dead ones are in a pile outside the hardware store as I commanded, undecided what to do with them, I don't know how the brotherhood will decide to dispose the bodys, by burning or making a small cementery…
-I preffer the use of the land in something better than mourning a motherfuckers raiders, burn them
-Yes elder
-Didn't kill the hostages?
-I believe they can reform…I once meet a kid that run away to become a forged…a raider type that has a thing with the fire…he was just sick of his parents like every kid becomes and when he found out they wouldn't be safe from them just because they were his family…became desesperate to run away and undo the error…I ended up killing all the raiders in that base and returning the kid to his family
-The base…Saugus Ironworks right? –Nora nooded- heard of it.
-I don't know how people pay for their crimes other than death.
-There are around the country prisions but…too far away from here…
-Heard of it –she smiled.
-Speaking of which I know were you have been busy most of the time in this year…-Nora raised an eyebrow confused as she drank her wine- The chain that binds…
-Well I was a lettered before the bombs exploded…im a lawyer –now Arthur was confused so she explained–we defended people acussed of crimes back then and a judge decided if they deserved years of jail or some other way to repay the victims based on our defenses.
-I see…we don't have lawyers and that proccedures are most made for military purposes –Arthur ate his meal as he talked.
-Like a martial court
-Im familiar with the term, read about it, more informal but yes…-the elder gasped and Nora looked at him-you haven't touch the food at all.
-I don't actually eat…any of this…-she blushed- I know its rude to just reject fresh cooked food
-What do you eat then? –well that was strange
-Canned food from before the bombs exploded –at seeing Arthur confused face she explained- the radiated food that grows on the earth or the animals you can kill has a…very metal taste, like drinking blood…is all about the taste anyway, not the nutricious aspect or if I get sick or not to eat that
-But I see you eating noodles at the dining room before
-Please, they existed before the bombs, the amount of sodium camuflages the rad taste –Nora laughted for a moment- it's the exactly same process now than then, I investigated and read about it, I mean I know that a tato has the same nutrients and caloric values as a real potato from before the war but…the taste…is like a cardboard with ketchup on top –she looked at her plate and started separating the tatos pieces from the cabbage- cabbage soup I will eat, as far as I read is nutricious
-You do your homework right? –the woman raised his shoulders and Arthur called for one of his guards that were waiting outside, when the soldier enter, a very ashamed Nora looked at the elder and hide her face behind the hair- changes in the menu –he said as he took the salad pot and give it to the soldier in front of him- bring us cabbage soup please –the soldier retired without saying anything with the pot and went off the living room- don't be ashamed, the dinner is for the both of us, you should told me about being a picky eater
-Is not…picky eater...this is easy for all of you because is everything you know but i…knew better –she bited her tongue, sometimes it was difficult to talk nice things about the wastelands, there wasn't almost anything nice to say about- I search to scavage inside vaults to see if I can found some seeds or froze or preserved plants but…they all turned into this rad types…I don't know if its anything on the air or the ground but I even planted tomato normal seeds inside a vault earth ground and they turned into tatos…the taste was disgusting as a normal tato plant growing outside the vault, I truly believe it's the air or the conditions of our planet changed after the big 2 hours bombing because its not making sense that dry up seeds grow up differently that the way they were intended to be
She was well informed, she knew, despite not knowing much about this world she made the effort to understand, Arthur was impressed.
-Im so sorry, I never thought about that aspect for the generation from before the bombs-after saying that he had an idea, but he smiled at being such a genious and decided to save it for a surprise.
-I believe that someday I will found normal plants of vegetables inside a vault but I hadn't see many yet, the problem there will be cloning it imitating that seeds or fruits to make them reproduce
-So not grilled radroach to you hu? –she smiled, and he laughted –alright
-I do believe we are lacking of condiments to hide the bad taste of most foods –there was a knock on the door and Arthur let them pass, a soldier with a cup of cabagge soup enter the room, he placed it in front of Nora and take out the lid to let all that steam run free.
-Hope you enjoy this meal –she laughted a bit as the aroma of the soup warm up her nose too.
-Thank you elder-the soldier left another cup of soup in front of Arthur, make the same process and left the room to let them talk- what do you wanna do with the hostages in hardware town?
-Do you want the brotherhood to take care of that subject?
-I preffer, the minutemens lack on education as and I researched theres no…a common law or agreement to try to set a trial…too soon for that after 200 years yet –she raised the cup and started drinking, body getting warmer from the food.
-A single person cant know or do everything, don't feel bad about it
-I just suppose –Arthur will continue to eat his meat and serve himself some mierluck egg omelette
-You did a great job sentinel, for the brotherhood or not, excelent execution of stages as I was told –he saw her drink more of the soup and then drink a glass of wine.
-Since…the minutemens and the brotherhood are going to…coexist and cowork in the same place can we…establish some trade routes? My settlements has overproduction of some crops sometimes in some settlements, its difficult to hire caravans that wants to travel that much distances with such heavy cargo, since its pretty low value they don't wanna risk they bramins and the journeys are longs to be that much exposed on the roads
-Sure, well see at the need of the moment but I can talk to other chapters of the brotherhood if they need vegetables and fruits –Nora nooded- taking it in ventibirds will be much safer and productive than using animals, after all a bahim plus two people and their cargo will equal in much more cargo of food on crate boxes, smart idea, good job sentinel.
-Have a lot of this projects…-she whisper low but Arthur was really putting a lot of attention.
-Please I love to hear more about, do you want anything more than soup?
-Water, if I keep drinking wine I will not be able to wake up tomorrow –the elder went to grab a glass jug and went to serve her water, they where at confronted sides of the table but that feeled really…close…like an intimate action.
Arthur heard her swallowing saliva, for a moment their gazes meet, but as soon the cup was filled he separated and sit again at his place.
-Well your operation was an absolutyl victory, are you heading there again?
-Yes, you cant clean a place full of raiders and let it unattended or more will be to take the place again, that happened to me a lot, I want to clear more bases for the brotherhood in the future so raiders cant take them.
-Please consult me first so I can ask for more soldiers to arrive in this chapter, If you continue to make new bases well run out of soldiers and resources, this has to be organized-she nooded, this time drinking water.
As soon the glass was down, this time, unlike with the wine, he see that with the clear water a mark of her red lips was on the glass.
-ill head there by the morning, wanted to rest a bit and…
-One of the paladins and their squad will scort you there on a ventibird –Nora had a confused face- its already talked, I believe is going to take some weeks to have the place fully operational for us to live and stay there…
-Right now my Minutemens are only taking guards until I arrive back, the first thing we planned is to bring bed and matress so everyone can rest and take turns to sleep
-Sleeping bags will be best, they can be washed –Nora smiled at the idea, it was nice to have collaboration
-Indeed
-Do you want anything for dessert?
-It may be difficult to get
-Challenge me
The woman sit comfortable and smiled, if he say so…
-I want a old glory donut is one with frosting shaped like the 13 stars and red and white stripes of the United States flag.
Arthur smiled, crossed his lips, bited them, and laught.
-If you are willing to wait an hour more to bake it…
-Why not, we can talk a bit more
That words resonated in the elders mind for a few seconds…wa-wat? She wanted to expend time together? Alright…his heart stopped for a moment but he recover his cool and temper quick to not be so exposed.
-Alright –again, he called one of the soldiers and this time whisper into his ear, when the man asked what the heck he went up to a desk nearby and take out a piece of paper and a pen.
-If it is so much problem…-said Nora at seeing all the big fuss around a piece of pastery
-Not at all Sentinel…-said Arthur from the next room, after finishing he gave the soldier the writing and he left, at coming back at the table she looked pretty ashamed.
Well isn't his one a beauty?
-I didn't know there was a master pastery in the Prydwen…it was just a joke…
-Its one of the brotherhood best keeped secrets –he laughted at sitting back on the table, he was going to finish his meal so he grabbed some multifruit salad and started eating with a folk-let me ask you something –for the first time in the night, he captured her attention. Well well well how was it? You can conquer a men by conquering his stomach? In this case a woman –why the minutemens? Why be his general? You have your own forces here at the brotherhood if you have a natural gift with people
-Why not them?
-In the brotherhood you have soldiers with discipline, education, training, gun management, experience or knowledge at medical treatment…
-Well not everyone…
-Most of them, you have been a sentinel for a year and didnt make up a team
-I work better solo or with one or two companions, no more. Besides i…see a lot of death all around, better not be someone I catch up, after all from Danse squad only two members stays alive, he feeled a lot their deaths I don't want the same pain even If I know it's a situation we have to be prepared
Well fuck, Danse will always be the elephant in the room between both.
-Its alrigt sentinel, we cant carry all the weight of the dead ones in our shoulders, if that's the case I have a lot of blood In my hands from missions I planned and failed
-But isn't that the case? I failed to protect minutemens that came to help me when I was in distress, people that thinked in helping me and…ended up being cold corpses I cant even retrieve to their familys because some creature eated up at the next day I came back to take them
-I see your logs and you took ventibirds to help a lot of distress signals over this year, you could end up being a cold corpse we cant retrieve either to help a brotherhood member
-That's okay for me, I don't want to die but im the one that make the dangerous choice to go and help
-So the Minutemens do the same with you
-No, its not like that, they do it because they want to make the Commonwealth a better place, a pack of radroaches less is not a danger for a family of farmers, a group of raiders wouldn't menace to come and start a fire on a small community if they are kicked out the near places, a settlement close to an abandoned school could suffer an attack of ghouls if we don't help…the minutemen do the small little big things to make people lives better, the brotherhood wouldn't do that work and its okay, both can coexist and do their own things…besides you arrived later here and I was already helping settlements so…
Ah…Arthur felt again something hit his chest…he may be crushing.
Why does she sound like a careless non radiated angel? With good heart and the capability to do anything.
He pushed those thoughts away, he meet a lot of capable womans in his life and never tried romancing them.
All his life he was encouraged to find the perfect partner to continue the Maxson lineague, but a lot of womans could be candidates except for the fact that…he didn't like them that personally and of course he was in his right to be, after all, he was encouraged not obligued yet, he was young, the sooner the better and he wasn't against to start a family even right now to pass on his surname…but the opportunity hasn't arrived
Everything was too perfect to be real, there has to be some kind of trick or flaw hidden.
-The brotherhood of steel its not a government, we are just an organization, we don't claim the land so some other tribes and groups can be around and we…help, of course the much we grow the better but…
-It would be nice to grow up enought so everyone choose 3 meals a day in exchange for some service to a cause, I preffer that lifestyle for the people than believing in the atoms for example.
-Sounds like you would have stay with the Institute, to have a life full of commodities
-Its no commodities, its basic, and I have reasons to not stay with the institute in that moment
-Like wat?
She stayed in silence, took a breath, and look away.
-Lets just say…that as a mother, I would never raise and teach someone to become someone so horrible to justify the dissaparence and replacement of innocent people for no… enough important reasons…
Maxson didn't understand her answer, but there was something heavy in the air that didn't make him want to ask for more
-Im glad you stayed with us sentinel, no matter what the reasons are.
Nora looked at him and drink a glass of water.
The door open, a soldier with two small plates covered with lids came.
-Well that was fast –she said, sitting better actually impacient for the surprise.
-What can I say? I have only the best of the best
-Will you give me the number of you pastery?
Arthur looked at her confused.
-The number?
-Never mind, pre-bomb joke
The soldier left the plates on the table and left, both looked at each other and lift the lids…Arthur smilled silly when the woman cover his mouth with gasp of surprise. She looked cute excited.
-That's not a proper soldier reaction…-he said laughting a bit, grabbing the colored donut admiring the good work of his pastery master, he would gave later the man a tip of caps, the face of Nora payed it.
-But look at this! Is perfect! Its exactly what I had in my mind! I used to eat one of this after work the entiry month of july –wow, she looked happy, really really happy- I almost don't wanna eat it
-Please do, I want you to stay strong
-For the brotherhood of steel? –she said with a big bright smile, her eyes were watery, almost crying.
Was she overwhelmed on emotions or just very happy?
It was cute to see…someone on his side so cheerfull. He made someone happy today.
-Ad victoriam sentinel –he said giving the first bite looking at her directly, it took a few seconds of staring before she was ashamed enough to eat and chew.
Nora was right now…satisfied with her work from yesterday