Chapter 10
Sweat dripping from his forehead, gun to his mouth, finger on the halfway on the trigger, he was so close to end, finish it to be with the only person he ever loved again, it was so easy to end it right here and now, just one pull of the trigger and all the pain will just go away, he was finally going to do it, until he heard a knock on the door that brought him back to reality,
Finger on the trigger slightly loosening, sweating more profusely running down his head bringing him more to reality and realisation of what he was going to do, Guilt of the horrifying action creeping more and more into his conscience, why am i doing this, James my brilliant father, Amata, the real Amata not a figmentation of my beloved Amata would be mortified seeing him like this he thought.
Another knock on the door strung his attention yet again, he don't know how long its been as time once again slowed down, he placed his 10mm pistol on the side of the couch, the same gun he received from Amata the day of his escape from vault 101 escape, he got on his unsteady feet and walked towards the door, he tried to gain some compose by wiping the tears from his eyes and the sweat on his forehead with his forearm, he opened the door slowly expecting some megaton resident to show him pity and apologise for his loss, but no, this person was familiar, his mind was trying to see if he recognises the figure at the front step.
Mid-age, possibly between fifty and fifty-five, wrinkles showing but not too much, strong firm features on his face, Eyes that tell you he's been around, slightly shaved hair and stubble beard, he slowly recognised the figure and surprise showed on his face.
"It's been a while, Wanderer." the Figure spoke.
"Glen Clarke, what are you doing here," He spoke, sounding slightly angrier than he intended.
"Well, i heard from three dog on the radio about what happened kid, I'm here to settle a debt, i'm sorry for your loss truly," he stopped briefly to light his cigarette before continuing, " You helped me get my personal vengeance and it's only right that i help you get your personal vengeance." Glens sincere response. Vincent was pleasantly surprised.
"You don't have to truly, can't ask you to do that for me," Vincent was not one to ask for help, not that he didn't want it just that people close to him normally end up in the grave,not again, never again, it's the punishment fitting for one such as him.
"I don't but I know what you are going through right now and I'm here for you, just want you to know that you've got people behind you," he put his supporting hand on Vincent's shoulder.
Vincent didn't expect this happening but he appreciates the gesture and after what he was about to do before, it made him smile at the support that someone got his back, " Thank you Glen, truly appreciate it, I'll be glad to have you watch my back", He finished still feeling nervous about having a friend who might get hurt or worse on his crusade, he didn't originally want Sarah to go with him but knowing her shell still follow him to the depths of hell if it meant him going alone, don't leave a brother behind he always heard in the brotherhood./.
" No problem kid, Let's say you and me get a drink at that bar in town," Glen offered.
" Why not, i've already emptied all the booze here anyway." he finished with a smile, he collected his caps and walked out with his new companion.
they were very much welcome at gobs saloon, it's been awhile since he drank at his saloon so they had a lot of time to catch up, gob heard on his radio about three dog news regarding the death of Vincent's beloved so first orders for them was on the house which Vincent was grateful for, the saloon weren't so busy today, just a few residents but the business has been booming for awhile now so it wasn't too big of a deal to give them free drink.
They talk for awhile just enjoying a few calming drinks among friends, talking about what he's been upto since they last met, turns out glens the new audition for the reilly rangers, the merc group expanding even more, he said that he lost interest in the caravan business a long time ago even before losing his wife laura over raiders, he just stayed in the business for he wife sake of making a honest living instead of his time as a merc for the gunners, Reilly rangers have a good reputation as good guys so joined up, they mission was to map places of the wastelands for an unknown benefactor, not even riley knows who they are which made glen suspicious but nevertheless it was not his place to know.
Vincent was surprised but happy to find out Glen joined Reiley rangers, it was a good merc group and one that he respects, they have been good friends in the wasteland since rescuing them at the statesman hotel. they talked about the plan for revenge afterwords, Vincent told him what really happened to Amata, seeing Outcast soldiers shoot her down and holding her dead helpless body in which he was holding back the tears explaining, it was still painful talking about it, still too recent to talk about his emotions so he started talking about what happened after, explaining the events he saw at fort independence, not missing a single detail, he detailed everything from finding the facility empty of people, finding the butchered corpses in a pile to the words written on the wall in blood.
Glen wasn't sure who would have done all this but all off it seemed personal, maybe they met each other before he thought, he told him about meeting up with Sentinel Sarah Lyons tomorrow to go to boston in search for this mysterious villain, it smelled like a trap but that's all the clues they have, no way but forward into the unknown, Glen saw Vincent yawn showing hes tired state so he told him to go home and rest, Vincent agreed and they walked side to side out of the saloon, they parted ways when they got to the Lone Wanderers house, in which he told him hell wait for him by the main gates tomorrow morning and told him to rest easy, he needed it for the journey they were gonna take.
he woke up early in the morning feeling slightly hungover, well, more like greatly hungover actually, he checked the time on his pipboy, 06.48, damn how long was he out last night, he walked up to the kitchen to get his much needed water, after about two bottles of water later he felt much better, he then went out the door to get some fresh air and also see if his companion Glen is up.
an hour had passed and he and Glen caught sight of each other on top of the balcony over the top of the railing above Doc churchs clinic.
"Morning Vincent." glen anounches.
"morning glen, feeling rough as i were.'' Vincent jokes but hopes he wasn't as rough as he was feeling.
" Nah, right as rain, I can handle my alcohol, kid unlike ." Glen jokes back.
"Guess you can, unlike me," he grinned before continuing with a more serious demeanour " you ready for Boston, won't blame you if you backed down."
Glen just huff and said, " kid, i ain't going anywhere, it's gonna take more than that to scar me away."
Ok was all the lone wanderer had said before looking out at the morning routine of the citizens of megaton. They were all going about they own business, having breakfast at jenny's and trading with the traders, it might be one last look of the first real home he had since leaving the vault, a feeling in his gut said he wasn't going to see this place again, a feeling he knew all too well, it was the same feeling he had at Adams air force facility, before the bombs blown it to smithereens, he wasn't expecting to come out alive afterwards, no, one hand, he didn't really fear death then, he hadn't had time to grieve then and to die a warrior's death like his father, it was humble, but on the other hand, he wouldn't of seen his closest friends again, Sentinel Lyons and her father, his brothers and sisters in the brotherhood, Charon and the rest of Reilly rangers and many more he found when wandering the wasteland. Right now though, after all that's happened in recent times, he wouldn't mind one last look at death, but not until those bastards that kill Amata pay, he will make them pay with every fibre of his very being, limb fro bone, blood for blood.
45 minutes later
Megaton
07.50am
Sentinel Lyons and her brother in arms Paladin Kodiak arrive at the gates of megaton, one of the few thriving settlement in the wastes, she hasn't been here or seen much of it in her years as a soldier for the brotherhood, from the last time she was here it looked drastically different, more structures, more people and from the looks of it more secure, two snipers overlooking the front, eight guards wearing heavy combat armour at the gates equipt with Chinese assault rifles simuler to Vincent rifle but less unique.
Walking at a steady pace towards the gates, the guards seemed to recognise her immediately and nodded their heads and letting them through, the two soldiers nodded their heads in return and proceeded on through the gates of megaton.
It was lively, more promising and definitely alot more cleaner than last time she was here, used to cover the ground and thank the lord that irradiated water besides the bomb is gone, she hadn't had the faintest idea why that old man used to stand in the irradiated pool and not turn into a ghoul. the changes in megaton were drastic that she wouldn't if it had anything do to they mutual friend, because honestly at this moment of time it looked like a real city, big, jam packed with citizens and traders, a place of hope in a broken up world were in the future, they may not have to fight for survival or scraps to stay alive, in all honesty, her feelings now a mix of pure happiness and hope, hope, she had long thought how was long lost, she grew up without it and when she needed it the most, it failed her, failed her brothers and sisters, they all died that day, leaving her the only survivor, the lowest point in her life that damaged and changed her in way she couldn't quite grasp, the woman back then was dead for all she knows, a traumatic experience like that just changes you as a person and as a character, it took her awhile after that to go back in the field.
that frightful memory brought back some dreaded, painful memories she didn't want to think about, so she moved on to looking for Vincent, looking everywhere, from looking around the inactive bomb to the brass lantern and up top which used to be Moriarty saloon, she finally spots him on top of the balcony on top of the clinic, she spots him with a familiar figure, the caravan guard name Glen from Galaxy news radio and the following raid on the raider compound, the both of them spotted her a moment later and gave each over a knowing smile and nod before heading up to meet each other once again.
"Vincent." She started, look at the looks of her best friend, he look rough that's for damn sure, looking like a junkie on jet without the needle marks, very pale white skin, dark bags underneath his eyes, dark and deep bags, there's only one conclusion, beer, that and she can instantly smell it closing the distance, the smell almost knocks her of her feet it's that strong. She continues "damn Vince, you look and smell like a feral."
Vincent hears and instantly goes to smell himself and begins to cough, earning a group of laughter from Glen, Sarah and Kodiak, embarrassment and some shame crossed his features before a slight smile replaces it.
"I've been holding my nose since we met this morning, damn but ain't it funny." Glen still grinning while speaking and after, the others still with a grin on their faces.
"Ok I know alright, why didn't you say anything." Vincent says looking at Glen with a half smile, half annoyance look on his face.
Glen just holds his laugh in and looks Vincent straight in his eyes with a grin and responds "kid, I thought it'll be hilarious to see our friends reaction, it was worth it."
He understood, Sarah and Kodiak still grinning and with a few tears in their eyes, he then started laughing before composing himself.
"Ok, ok, I'll head to my house real quick to you know, clean myself alright, and it's good to see you too Sarah, and you too Kodiak, I'll meet y'all in a half hour outside the gates while I clean up myself and gather my stuff." he said getting agreement from everyone, walking away to his home in megaton, he thought back to his return to megaton, at the time he still had the blood of raider corpses on his armour and clothing, he hadn't realised how much he stunk, there was only one thing on his mind and that was getting pissed out of his tree and having a little bit of happiness from recent events, booze was the best and also the worst thing he could of had at the time but he hadn't cared just keeped drinking and drinking like his life depended on it, his state of mind at an all time low, anything for a bit of happiness, was it worth it? With how he almost ended it right there when he saw the illusion of Amata pleading for him to do it, to join her and the most terrible thing was that he wanted to do it, so bad, but if a certain individual hadn't knocked on the door at the right time, he would of been gone, no more then but a faded memory to some people and a legend to others, how rough he was feeling now? No, it wasn't worth it and to be frank, he doesn't think he'll see an end to the illusions of Amata, not anytime soon anyway.
Just like he said, he stepped out of the gates of megaton half an hour later, looking stocked up wearing his ranger armour with the brotherhood insignia tatted on the front, pitch black hood covering his head but leaving his face uncovered, a unique very dark midnight blue cloak with small burgundy tiger stripes around his black, he certainly stands out among wastelanders and brotherhood personnel, he looks menacing and he looks like someone you wouldn't want to mess with, the latter prints a clear picture, he dressed like that for that purpose, to impose fear to his enemies, and she's not gonna lie, she thinks he looks totally badass in that get up.
She watches his uncovered face for a moment, judging by his condition before, he looks more clean and doesn't stink of blood and booze anymore, the black bags under his eyes are still there but more noticeably faded compared to before and his less pale looking more like himself, an improvement more or less, he look ready, ready as hell ever be.
She notices he posture and the way he's moving seems more determined and focused reminding her of the attack of the purifier, that raw determination you only get from losing someone close, it was his father then but now, now it's is newly beloved wife, she can only hope she can control him to a point where she can stop him before he'll do something he couldn't live with, that and not have him die, not on her watch.
the way he fought the enclave was both brutal and ignorant, not afraid if he gets shot or stabbed, in that battle, She saw him take enclave soldiers from range with precision, when he got close enough, he used enclave soldiers bodies as human shields, switching to his side arm to take as many as he could, when it went really up close and personal, he let his demon's take over, chopping off heads and limbs with that Sword he called Jingwei's shocksword he got from anchorage.
Traversing the battlefield, he slashed his way through their enemies, leaving a gruesome trail of severed heads and arms in their wake. It was a sight that would have made most retch, but her upbringing in the brotherhood had steeled her against such sights. She had seen her share of blood and gore, but the horror of the carnage still weighed heavily on her conscience no matter how she felt about the Enclave. but still, it was horrifying to witness nevertheless.
Further ahead of reaching the purifier, she even saw him get stabbed in the shoulder by and enclave officer, he was unfazed, right then he punched the officer to the hard to the ground and proceeded to kneel over him and pull the combat knife out of his shoulder with no more than a grunt, then stabbed the officer multiple times in the chest, she lost count how many times he did so but that weren't all, he then let go of the knife and start punching him over and over, blood pouring out of the guys chest but still alive, before finally using he's thumbs to poke both his eyes out, it was extreme, he showed no remorse afterwards only rage and contempt, it's only after, after the war with the enclave that he showed any sign of remorse for what he did back then, drinking his sorrows thinking of the heinous acts he did, anger and hurt clouds both judgement and feelings, anger makes you do things that youd not think was capable of doing and feelings, feeling fade away and you start to go numb with all the anger you feel, two different sets of emotion that dont mix well together.
"I'm all set ready to go." Vincent announced breaking her thoughts, she composed herself, "You look better, while you were cleaning yourself up, Me and Paladin Kodiak was talking to Glen, he knows a passage to Boston from his time with the Gunners, Hell lead the way." Sarah finished getting a nod of approval from Vincent, they set off to boston with a steady pace, it was a long way to boston, Kodiak had gathered all of the equipment they needed, weapons, food and medicine, all vital for their journey.
Fort constantine.
Same time
"He and his brotherhood of steel friends are on the way to Boston sir." the Enclave comms specialist informs, the giant mammoth of a man behind him just smirks before tapping him on the shoulder.
"Keep me informed, the start of the real war starts now, inform me once the Lone Wanderer arrives in Boston." He turns to walk away, away to the dark room of the facility, where he can think alone, we'll mostly alone, only the voice implanted in his head, the implant of his boss from back west.
His employer he encountered back west want progress reports, the army was growing back in west Virginia, he knew the enclave soldiers he sent to Virginia were most likely dead, he still had a grudge against them ever since that oil rig, but after all this work is finished, they'll tie up loose end, even the gunners and talon company will be among them.
The voice in his head speaks to him with the same cold robotic tone as always, "progress report." Cold and distant yet so very close.
"The wanderer taken care of, time to rid the citadel of all it's inhabitants." He spoke internally inside his head.
"Remember, there's no option for failure, not even for the likes of you, after the capital is ours, our deal will be honoured but only then, do I make myself clear?" Voice reminded he champion crystal clear with venom.
He understood, this was the moment, his moment to get back what he lost, there was no option for failure, he had enough failure in a lifetime, well no more, he will get what owed to him, what the world owes him, he'll do it, no Matter the cost, whatever it takes. He responds with a determined and confident tone not lacking in faith "understood, I'll get it done." He finished and walked away to his armoury, the time was here, he had to get stocked up and organise the army he has now, the start of the new war, the war for the capital starts now, he heard that saying war never changes but in this case, it'll change everything.