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

Chapter Twenty - Eight - Princess Piña Co Lada

There were moments in her life that Princess Piña Co Lada had to admit that she was powerless. The most recent moment happened during the middle of the night. A great quake came through and disturbed the capital itself. It had shaken the very foundations and buildings that sat there. They were great enough that there was little doubt that some buildings had fallen in on themselves. For a precious few moments Princess Piña Co Lada wanted to have Adam here with her.

Still, she managed to still herself, and to her surprise she saw movement. The movement itself was outside of the manor she was staying at. She had taken the advice of Bozes and chose not to remain in the palace at the moment. She had told her that there was a chance, however slim, that her brother could attack her. Part of her wanted to believe that he hadn't fallen that far from grace, but she could no longer deny the evidence in front of her.

He'd shown himself to be little more than a bully, and the fact that she was now married to Adam was the only thing that had saved his life. She looked at her sister-wife who also stood uncertain of what was happening around them. The entire capital seemed to be in an uproar, but the sound of something moving caught her attention. She looked to see individuals seemingly appearing out of nowhere. All of them began to take form before her. She watched as one of them moved toward her.

The form stopped and gave a bow. Before she could ask a question the sleek looking helmet was removed and she looked at a face that she recognized. The one in question was scribe Amanda Moore. The scribe gave her a smile, "Wow, so that happens here too, huh?" she asked as she looked at her, "Well, there's going to be another one coming through before too long."

Princess Piña Co Lada looked at her for a moment, "What was it?"

Scribe Amanda Moore looked at her and scratched her head, "Wait, you haven't had earthquakes before?" she asked, but then she nodded after a moment, "Or maybe you have, but they were considered something else. Okay, look from the books we've uncovered we've learned that earthquakes are more or less when the ground sort of moves and settles. It causes disturbances like those."

Princess Piña Co Lada looked at her after a moment, "Wait, if that's the case, then how did you know to be here?"

The scribe smiled, "Actually, we were just doing a field test of this stealth armor we uncovered," she said as she smiled, "Although, I might have been ordered by Sentinel Lyons to ensure your personal safety, and I might have also been told to use this stealth armor to ensure that anyone connected with your brother never made it to your home."

She studied the scribe and then felt relieved that there was someone looking out for her, "Thank you," she replied as she leaned back, "To be honest, I was worried about what could be happening, but I was preparing myself for whatever it was."

Scribe Moore smiled at her, "I understand," she replied, as she looked around, "Honestly, there hasn't been anyone attempting to directly gain access to your home, yet. Still, I'm going to ask that a small group of our knights remain here."

Princess Piña Co Lada nodded and then looked toward the scribe, "Since you are here, would you care for something to drink?"

There was kindness in the offering, but more than that Princess Piña Co Lada simply wanted to have the comfort and company of the scribe. She was connected to Adam, and if he couldn't be here then having someone that he was connected to would be fine. If nothing else it would allow her to relax a little. She hoped that she wasn't sounding too desperate, but even if she was the scribe simply nodded, "of course," she replied as she waved toward the others, "Some of us will remain on guard, and a few of us will come with you."

The group made their way toward the home, and the Princess moved toward the large kitchen. Unlike the homes on Alnus Hill her own home could be considered opulent and ornate. There was evidence of wealth and breeding, but all of it meant absolutely nothing. She was the third princess, and that meant that her power was exceptionally limited. The fact that she was married to Adam carried more weight than her own birth. She understood that ultimately she was being used as a political bartering chip. She had been traded in the chance of the empire being able to use the Brotherhood of Steel.

More to the point, she had been told by her father to use Adam's connections to further engrain herself with them. He'd expressed a true and real sense of pride in her, and that was something she hadn't been sure he would have ever shown her before. Yes, he considered her order to be more ceremonial than anything, but the fact that he had allowed it was proof that she had demonstrated at least the drive and determination to become something more.

She walked toward the cabinets and opened up one that was usually far cooler than the rest. She didn't know quite why it was cooler, but she did know that a sage had said that water ran under the house. Perhaps it was the water spirits that cooled this cabinet? She waved the stray thought away as she set out a few cups and poured the wine. Oddly, the wine didn't look right. Perhaps it was because it was darker in the home, but it looked too dark. She sniffed it, and found that it smelled wrong. She stopped scribe Moore from drinking it.

Instead she looked at it again, and she noticed for the first time that it had been opened before she had opened it. She closed her eyes, "Someone was here," she said, her voice sounding worried, "Someone had come and opened the bottle before we had."

Scribe Moore looked at it, and then she looked at her, "Let me see it," she said, and when she took the bottle she opened up a small pack on her side. She carefully poured the contents of a small envelope into the bottle. When she did, the dark contents began to change color. She sat it down, "Ricin poison. Someone's trying to poison you, and anyone else connected to you. At this point everything in this home is suspect."

Hearing that her wine had been poisoned, and of course that went with the food as well, left her feeling conflicted. It meant that Zorzal had intended to kill her. The fact that he chose to do such an underhanded way of it was nearly soul crushing. It meant that her brother wanted her out of the way. He wanted to ensure that she would not be able to interfere with whatever it was that he was planning on doing.

"I can't believe that he would be so willing to do this," she said, her voice sounding hurt, "I know we're not close, but we are brother and sister. Does he not hold any sanctity to that? Does he not care?"

For a moment it appeared the scribe Moore was lost, but it was Bozes that moved toward her. The body double for Sentinel Lyons hugged the princess, and scribe Amanda Moore nodded. There was a moment of understanding between the two, and she hated to intrude on it. Still, the evidence was clear. Princess Piña looked toward scribe Moore, and she breathed out. There was an answer to this that was clear. She needed to maintain a presence here in the capital. She needed to in order to maintain the strength of the alliance, but she had to be careful as well.

"Can you get word to our husband?" she asked as she looked at her, "Let him know what has happened. I do not wish for him to rush home, but rather I want him aware that there are dangers. If they have come for me, then there is no doubt they will attempt to do the same to him."

Scribe Moore nodded, "Of course," she agreed before she looked at the knights with her, "Okay, as of right now we need to make sure that this site is under the protection of the Brotherhood of Steel. Since she is married to Paladin Jefferson it is easier to do. We will declare that this is his home as well. In doing so that should give us the opportunity to claim this as neutral ground. It can become our diplomatic fortress for lack of a better word."

The knights nodded, "Of course ma'am," one of them said before going invisible again and sneaking off. However, one of them simply looked at her, "You're forgetting something scribe."

She looked toward the figure and Princess Piña realized that the two of them obviously had history together. The scribe seemed to shuffle her feet for a moment, "I know, Star Paladin Vargas, sir, but we're not exactly going by the book right now, right?"

There was a nod, "We're playing it fast and loose, which is fine," he replied as he looked around, "I'm going to request some automatic turrets. We can program them to recognize a few people with ease. It will ensure that anyone that is perceived as a threat will be taken care of. I'd like to consider it an additional layer of protection."

Princess Piña looked at her, "Is that similar to the golems that have built the city on Alnus Hill?"

There was a moment before scribe Moore nodded, "They're similar, but different. Where the Protectrons are robots designed to build, protect, assist, or even revive people near death the turrets are more or less weapons that have the ability to detect enemies and act on their own."

The image of a floating sword that hung by a doorway came to her mind. It had been something that a sage had created once, a very long time ago, and he claimed that it would attack only the enemies of the empire. In truth, it had done an admirable job, but it ended up cutting down multiple people. It had eventually been removed, the enchantment on it depowered, and the sword had been placed into a vault somewhere in the lower sections of the city itself.

Where it was she had no clue, but according to the stories it would still be as sharp as it had been, and it would be able to cut through even the strongest of metals. But, if these turrets were like it, then perhaps they had a way of ensuring that they did no permanent harm. Instead, they likely had a way to ensure that they only attacked those that would be considered hostile. Most likely it was one of the strange boxes that were used to control the golems, the protectrons, themselves.

That seemed likely, and she believed if that was the case then it should be fine. The boxes seemed to be filled with great and powerful magic. They were capable of controlling multiple golems, able to ensure the completion of tasks without a magic user present, and more the fact they seemed to be capable of communicating exceptionally long distances. If that was the case then it made sense that they would use one to control these weapons.

"Where would they be placed?"

Scribe Moore pointed toward the door, "One at least would be placed out front. I'd like to say we would have it just above the front door, but it would likely be better to have it higher," she replied, "Another could be placed out back, and I'd suggest on the top of the manor itself. That would give it a far better vantage point. The others could be placed around other entrances, and finally we could put a few inside of the manor itself."

She pointed toward the various doors, "It wouldn't be difficult to put some in the ceiling above the door frames. They could pop down, track movement, and fire when activated."

Star Paladin Vargas nodded, "It should be easy to get the ones we need. It's my understanding that we've gained a few since Paladin Jefferson helped clear a few businesses. Additionally, I believe that our truce with Underworld has allowed us access to some of the turrets in the Natural History Museum as well."

Princess Piña Co Lada listened to them, and she looked at the places that they had indicated. If they did what they had said they would do then the manor would become far more secure. It could potentially become the most secure building in the empire. That wasn't to say that there would be no danger. There was the chance that these turrets would be unable to sense someone if they were completely hidden from sight. The armor they were wearing was proof that one could hide from the visual senses.

Perhaps the turrets could still sense them, but she had doubts on that. In truth, it seemed the only way to make sure that everything was secure would be to have guards posted as well. She looked at those there with her, and decided to state her thoughts, "Besides the turrets, it would make sense to post guards as well," she said as she caught their attention, "Would the turrets be able to pick up those who can turn invisible, much like yourselves?"

For a moment scribe Moore looked at her, and then she shook her head, "No," she replied, "Anyone using a stealth-boy or one of these infiltration suits of armor would be able to completely bypass the turrets."

She started to say something, and then she stopped, "Well, I can't say that it would be impossible," she stated after a moment, "After all, that adventurer Kazuma apparently can turn himself invisible similar to how a stealth-boy works. By all accounts if he can then others could."

She seemed to think for a moment, "However, even the infiltration suits can't get past heat signatures. I'd bet that whatever magic that Kazuma is using likely can't do the same as well," she said as she looked at her, "The turrets don't have the kind of ability, but we can equip a few of your knights with special goggles that allow them to see heat signatures. It will allow them to see if anyone is attempting to sneak up on them."

She nodded, and she felt more at ease. The decision was one that would at least make the most sense. It would ensure that they were protected, and at the same time it would ensure that everyone who posed a threat would be stopped either by the turrets or by her own knights. Personally, she trusted those that served under her. They were all capable knights, and all of them were trained to be at their very best. In addition, there were those who were helping in guarding them now.

Paulson was such an individual. He had explained that he received a request from those that were in charge of him to remain as a guard and escort when needed. She looked at them for a moment, "Would it be possible to ask for Paulson to be placed here as a guard?"

There was a moment of silence, and it was Star Paladin Vargas that decided to break it, "We can request it, but ultimately Paulson is part of the Regulators," he said as he studied her, "They're a group of lawmen and women in the capital wasteland, and their purpose is to ensure that those that break the law are brought to justice. His being over here is a joint effort by the Regulators to help. We can make the request with Sonora Cruz. There's a good chance that she will oblige, but we can't promise that she will."

Princess Piña looked at him and then stood up a bit straighter, "May I ask for a meeting with her?"

The request appeared to have caught both scribe Moore, and star paladin Vargas off guard. She watched as they shared a look, and finally it was scribe Moore that nodded, "Okay," she said after a moment, "I'll ask sentinel Lyons to reach out to her. It might take a couple of weeks, but I'm sure that she will come through and meet with you."

She saw star paladin Vargas seem to consider things for a moment, "May I ask why you want to meet with her?"

She nodded, "I want to express how we can help one another," she stated after a moment, "If her people are the lawbringers, then I see no reason why the Order of Roses can't assist in their endeavor. We ensure that the laws of our land are followed, and we protect those who are unable to protect themselves. It is exactly what my order was created for."

There was a shared bit of silence again before scribe Moore nodded, "I'm sure that she would appreciate the help, but you do realize that will mean sending some of your people into the wastes," she said, trying to imply what it would mean, "I mean, I'm sure you noticed that the capital wasteland isn't the most friendly of places."

Princess Piña Co Lada nodded, "I did notice, and I am aware of the dangers there," she stated, "However, it occurs to me that our alliance cannot be one sided. If those from the otherside of the gate are willing to help, then we can do no less."

She looked to them both, "We must show that we are willing to extend our strength to assist when asked or offered," she said, her words full of confidence and pride, "I will do no less. I will ensure that my order is prepared."

"Princess," Bozes said after a moment, "What of your brother? We both know that he may use this as a chance to stage a coup against you, your father, and his younger brother."

She nodded, "I know," she replied as she stood there, "I can no longer ignore my brother's intentions. I cannot turn a blind eye to his actions, but I cannot show weakness either. Hoarding my knights when there is a chance to show our might with our allies would be a sign of weakness, and it would be one that he would exploit."

The answer was out there, and it was something that she believed. Despite what her personal thoughts were on the situation she understood the underlying truth. Her brother would likely advance on any weakness she showed. If she wanted to make a difference, and she wanted to ensure that the alliance held then it meant that she needed to work toward the goal they needed to have together.

She looked toward scribe Moore who seemed to understand what she was talking about. For a few moments she seemed to contemplate what was being said, and finally she nodded, "We'll help as much as we can in ensuring that you are kept safe here. Part of what we will need to do is annex this manor into the territory of the Brotherhood of Steel," she said as she looked at her, "Understand that means that this ground will become sovereign territory for the Brotherhood, and it also means that anyone who trasspasses on it will be seen as an enemy of the Brotherhood of Steel."

She listened and nodded, "I see," she said after a moment, "So, if we do this it will give the Brotherhood of Steel a permanent presence within the capital of the Empire, correct?"

Scribe Moore nodded, "It will," she stated as she looked at her, "And it also means that there will be a contingent of Brotherhood Knights kept here. Basically they would act as guards and honor guard while here."

The answer was certainly simple enough. It was a chance for them to ensure that she would be safe, and it would solidify their presence in the Empire. The drawback was equally obvious. Their presence here would spark discontent with those around them. Those who were against the alliance, those who blamed the Brotherhood of Steel for the crushing defeat of the Empire's forces, they would rally behind her brother. It would spark an internal war, and she knew it.

In truth it was a war that was already starting to spark. When it would happen was anyone's guess, but if she allowed this then it would surely begin faster. She knew that there would be people who would be pitted against one another. They would see each other not as brothers and sisters, but enemies with different alliances. The one possible thing that could hold them together would be her father, and that was if her brother did not do anything to him. At one point she would have believed that such a thing would be impossible. She would have believed that there was no way her brother would do anything to her father, but since discovering his true nature, she wasn't so sure anymore.

She felt conflicted, but ultimately she knew that there were very few options, and none of them were perfect. She had to make the best choice from the options she had. It meant that she had to decide if she wanted the war to come later or sooner. Either way she had no doubts on what would happen once it happened. The capital would likely be lost. All that stood would be leveled under the might of the Brotherhood of Steel. There was no doubt in her mind about that.

She looked at both scribe Moore and star paladin Vargas, "I will set things into motion for it to happen," she said as she studied them, "My father likely will agree to it, but I'm certain that there will be some conditions for it to be done. He most likely will want to include knights of my order, at least, if not some of the personal guard from his own selection."

Scribe Moore smiled, "I don't think that it will be an issue," she replied, "And if nothing else it will allow us to show that we can work with others as well. We need to ensure that cooperation between our peoples."

Princess Piña gave a slight smile, "Then, perhaps it is well and good that we have set ourselves in on this course."

She was still conflicted, and she knew that she had every right to be. She had every right because things could turn out badly. She understood that as of this moment she would either be held as the princess who managed to lead the empire into a new and prosperous future, or she would be called a traditor for leading her people astray. Either way whatever happened would change the course of the empire forever. They could no longer blindly follow their old ways. They had to adapt, and they had to do so quickly.

"We will still set up the meeting with Sonora Cruz," star paladin Vargas said, "I'm certain that you may want Paulson to help with the security. If for no other reason than him being a familiar face. Not to mention doing so would strengthen the connections we have with the Regulators."

She gave a slight smile, "Please do," she stated as she began to relax, "I would much rather have someone that we can trust near us. I believe that doing so would ensure both the safety of those here, and of course ensure that additional eyes were present to watch for unseen danger."

She looked at the place where the wine had been, and then she took a moment to look around. So much had changed, and so much would continue to change. The world was nothing like it was when she was a child. No, she understood that the world had changed since the gate opened again, and there was little doubt that it would continue to do so.