The Lone Wanderer came down the steps carefully. "Reilly!", she called out.
The woman stepped right in front of spun up MINIGUN. "Brick!"
"Oh, sorry.", the man apologized. "You know, everyone else stomps in. You're the only one that sneaks in like a cat."
"Where's Reilly?", she interrupted. "It's about a job."
"Butcher and her are in her 'office'. Knock first.", Brick advised.
"And I did call out.", the Lone Wanderer reminded as she followed the hallway around to what served as Reilly's prep area.
Once she arrived, she was greeted by Reilly with a "Fancy seeing you back here."
"I have a job."
"For?", Butcher asked.
"Everyone.", the woman replied.
She held both Reilly's and Butcher's full attention. Reilly started. "There hasn't really been a job that needed all of us for years. Unless you call the hot mess that Vault 87 is."
"Nope. This calls for everybody. Charon, Fawkes, everybody.", she reiterated.
Butcher asked, "And who's picking up that many caps?"
"The Brotherhood of Steel."
And everyone sat back in their chairs. Reilly led with "What could possibly be so messed up that the Brotherhood of Steel would hire a mercenary outfit rather than use their own people? What exactly are you planning to drag us into?"
The Lone Wanderer attempted to explain. "You've heard Three Dog, right? Rivet City being dark? Well, they are not dark - they're occupied.
"If the Brotherhood moves in, it starts an automatic shooting war with a force large enough to hold the entire gangway to Rivet City. At least. They've lost at least one squad already.
"They want someone to look around under different colors. The Brotherhood needs to find out what they're up against before moving on it in force. So while they're gathering their forces at the Aqua Fortis plant in Jefferson Memorial, I'm coming to you for other colors. We head over to Rivet City as 'not Brotherhood', we poke our noses around and get the lay of the land, then report back and get paid."
Reilly objected. "And when the shooting starts? Do you think you can cut your way out of something as large as Rivet City? Or past who ever is occupying it?"
The Lone Wanderer shrugged. "I've done it before. But I would much rather have a well seasoned mercenary group at my back if things get hairy."
Reilly breathed in. "And the Brotherhood's willing to foot the bill for everyone?
"Alright. You bed down here. We'll get everyone back to base and then set out for Rivet City. I want everyone rested, watered and fed before we set out. No reason for anyone to act stupid that way."
