Wrong Place, Right Time: A Hero's Story

by DLTA-BOT

The journey of a hero doesn't always start where they expect. It doesn't always happen to those who expect it. Damon was never interested in being what SPARTANs represent: an implacable force for good standing as humanity's shield. Like most other third-generation SPARTANs, the war took everything from him. All he wanted was to return the favor. Sometimes we don't get a choice.

44. Chapter 44: What's Most Important

A/N: Well helloooo there and welcome to my perch of insanity in this world of nonsensical crossovers! WOW that was a struggle. This is another one of those chapters I decided to rewrite because I really didn't like the first iteration. Problem is I didn't start that rewrite until about five days ago. It was a sprint to get to the end, get it edited, and post it but here we are. I'm a lot happier with it, and I think you'll understand why as the story progresses. Aaaanyway, that's enough of my rambling. Remember to leave a review if you're so inclined and, as always, enjoy!

Chapter 44: What's Most Important…

Judging by their sluggish movements and irritated stares, I'd guess most of the settlers didn't get much sleep after my 'attack' last night. Problem is I don't know if they're worried about the right thing. Are they upset at me or are they concerned with how easy it would be for an experienced, well-organized force to hit them? While I'm no savant at reading people, my guess would be option one.

As I walked back through the settlement toward its armory, my mind was going through the various improvements they'd need to make to their fortifications. Against most threats in the Commonwealth, their relatively well-armored walls, hidden watch and firing positions, and the hardened houses would be enough. That isn't what they're facing though. Not only are they going to be targeted by the Brotherhood at some point, but if Nate decides he wants to test my warning, the Institute could be a threat too.

Changes to their perimeter wall, more firing positions with rotating watches, and a perimeter guard would be a good start. More than that though, they're going to need to change the way they work and fight. This isn't just going to be static defense. If they think they'll be able to sit in Sanctuary and wait out whoever ends up finding them, they're going to lose. That's to say nothing of other settlements in the area that will be getting involved too.

Right now, I need to find Preston and talk about exactly what improvements need to be done.

"Damon!" Someone called from my right.

It was Ellie. She was sitting with Alex and another woman under their common building's carport.

She waved me over. Why? Is this about last night? Alex was clearly upset, but having that conversation now wouldn't do any good. What needs to happen is-

"Stop standing there staring and get over here", Alex said. She didn't sound angry but I'm here to find Preston, not talk with them. Having a 'social interaction' didn't sound all that appealing to begin with.

Ellie looked from me to the small blue house they'd turned into their armory. "If you're looking for Preston, he's busy this morning. He and a few others headed north to another settlement."

… Of course he did.

Which now means I don't have a good excuse to ignore them.

I could ignore them anyway.

And say what?

There's no need for me to stay here at all times. I could say I'm going out to scout the perimeter, make sure no one's getting curious and heading this way.

Yes, I could do that, but I already did that.

Or I could attack one of the Brotherhood outposts on the west side of the city. Now my radio's gone silent, it's more than likely they've encrypted their transmissions. While I intended to do that to find more explosives, figuring out their new comms protocols might be more useful.

And I just told them six hours ago they need to figure out how to fight. I want their cooperation, and, for what it's worth, I also want their trust. Leaving now would be a great way to sabotage both.

Great…

Ellie smiled as I began toward them. Alex's was more of a smirk. I still didn't recognize the third woman at the table with them. She was younger than both with short cut brown hair and an angular face.

"Well well well, the soldier boy decides to join us after all", Alex said and motioned to a… I'm not sure what it is. The thing was a half meter tall with four very sturdy metal legs. It almost looked like a stool, but there were clearly some sort of strike marks on a thick steel top that was wider than the legs.

"We borrowed that from Sturges", Ellie said as she watched me study it.

Really… I cocked my head at her. "How long have you been waiting here for me?"

She exchanged a glance with Alex. "Oh… not long. Why don't you have a seat?"

Leaving's still an option…

Despite my head screaming at me to find an excuse, they'd call anything I came up with. Not only am I a terrible liar but by this point they know I'm looking for Preston.

Dammit.

Slowly lowering myself onto the makeshift stool, I glared at Alex.

"What's this about?"

The woman frowned. "Why does this have to be about anything? Maybe we just wanted to talk."

Which is what worries me.

"About?"

The two older women laughed.

"See?" Alexandra said, looking at the third. "Once you get past the fighting, there's nothing to worry about." She turned back to me, still chuckling. "This is Anna, by the way."

Anna, who was smiling now, nodded to me. "I've heard stories about you."

Did she want to meet me? Why…?

I looked at the two other, still chuckling women. Or is this something they did on their own? What stories have they been telling about me? About how we met? About getting to Sanctuary? The last time I was here, they'd told me stories were already circling around the Commonwealth, was it some of those?

"Damon", Perkins interrupted my thoughts. She was frowning now. "You're staring."

Staring? "I'm thinking."

"Yes, well, you're still staring."

Alex waved the concern away. "It's Damon, Ellie, he's good for one thing, and it isn't holding a conversation."

The secretary nodded. "That's true."

"But…" she continued, "I do want to ask you a few questions."

Oh, here we go. "About?"

"Two things. First: when you say you're going to teach us how to fight a war, what do you mean by that?"

"That's what this is going to turn into", I said. "The Brotherhood and Institute aren't just going to fight each other, they're both coming after me. If you're determined to align yourselves with me, that means you'll get involved too." I shrugged. "And Preston is right. Whoever wins, they're going to assert control over the rest of the Commonwealth. At that point, your choices will either be to fall under their rule or fight back."

"Who do you think would win? Between the Brotherhood and Institute, I mean."

It was a good question. Conditions are changing so quickly it's hard to tell at this point. Safe to say, if it weren't for Nate and his experience the Institute would be at a massive disadvantage. As far as an outright war goes though, the Brotherhood would still win. That isn't taking into account the technological and logistical advantages the Institute has though; they can produce everything they need in their facilities, and they can teleport resources and people anywhere they need them.

"I don't know yet but whoever wins would be, by far, the most effective fighting force in the area."

"Hmm", Perkins hummed. "So you think our only chance is to get involved while the fighting is still going on."

"Yes." I nodded.

"Is that why you agreed to help us?"

"No. It seems like you already know a fight against whichever force wins would be a losing effort, which is why you intend to get involved."

Alex nodded.

"That's why."

She huffed. "Ah yes. Damon: the man with a heart of gold."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the small smile that slipped across Ellie's face.

"You'd be surprised", the secretary muttered.

Would she? I'm no paragon of virtue. "I'm only doing this because I want to."

"That's fine", Perkins said, still smiling. "We didn't wave you over to interrogate you about your reasons for helping."

Is that so? I met Alex's gaze once again. "What's the second thing you wanted to ask?"

"That was Anna's question."

The younger woman suddenly looked extremely nervous as the three of us turned to her.

"Wha- you're gonna make me say it?" she asked, face as red as the morning sky.

Ellie nodded. "It's your question. Are you afraid to ask?" The question almost sounded like a challenge. Are they using me to haze her?

"Well- yeah it's my question, but I was just curious, I didn't-"

Alexandra's smile turned devious again. "What's the worst that could happen?"

After a brief pause, Anna blinked and suddenly she was glaring at Alex. "You spent aaall last night telling me about how the first thing you ever saw Damon do was kill a bunch of Raiders."

The mischievous smile didn't disappear. "That's right, I did. We've already established that's the only thing he's good for. Do you think he'd get angry and attack you?"

Now I'm starting to get confused. What the hell is going on? Sure, I understand people being nervous about me. Plenty back in my universe were uncomfortable around SPARTANs. But does she really think I have so little self-control I'd attack her for asking a question?

"What's your question?"

Anna almost jumped as I asked.

When she hesitated, Alex snorted, amused. "She was wondering if you enjoy doing anything besides fighting." She turned to me. "I told her you enjoy being a pain in the ass."

Do I enjoy doing anything besides fighting? That's… a good question, and one I haven't given too much thought. If-

"Yes, I know it's hard for you to answer", she continued. "For example, I like farming. Abigail's been a huge help, and it's nice to know", she pulled a piece of fruit from her plate, "I'm eating food that I grew. Ellie?"

The secretary offered Anna an apologetic smile. "I've discovered an affinity for working on new inventions with Sturges. Turns out keeping records for that mess of a detective", she allowed herself a short laugh, "makes one better at thinking about practical solutions, according to our resident Synth. What about you, Anna?"

"I…", the other woman trailed off, face still cherry red, staring at me. "Why do I have to share? I wasn't asking about any of you, or me." She nodded toward me. "I was just wondering about him. I didn't know you were going to drag me into this."

"Because I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get to know each other", Alex replied, shooting me a smile.

Of course you did.

"And I agree", Ellie added. "I won't pressure you into saying anything if you don't want to though."

Anna blinked slowly, eyes still fixed on me. It seemed a little irrational for her to be this worried about my reaction. What did she think I'd do?

Maybe she doesn't know, and that's what's making her nervous. I'm an unknown. All she knows about me is I'm good at making things dead.

"No, it's fine", she said after a few seconds' pause. "I'm good at building. Sturges put me in charge of designing our walls", she pointed toward the hill behind me, "the lookout up there, the raised platforms over the houses. I- I really enjoy it." As she spoke, it seemed like she was simultaneously swelling with pride and trying to fade into invisibility.

That being said, I was surprised. Not that she was good at design and construction, but that Sturges and Preston trusted one person with their fortifications. They were amateurish, but for someone with little to no experience in static defense, they were very good.

"Did you have experience before coming here?" I asked.

Her eyes shot wide. Why was she surprised? What she enjoys doing is related to what I do, and it's something I now have a vested interest in.

"I-" she shook her head. "Not really, but Sturges did have some recommendations based on what happened in Quincy. We also managed to dig up some reading material about pre-war military bases."

While that would definitely help, reading about something and implementing it in the real world are two very different things.

"I think you impressed him", Alex said. The statement was only half teasing.

Impressing me isn't what she needed to worry about. That test comes when someone attacks this place. At least I could talk with her about some of the changes that needed to be made to their fortifications. Hell, if she's been the one working on the defenses so far, she's better equipped to handle the design and logistics than I am.

"Now that we're all a bit more comfortable", Perkins said, pulling me from my musings once again, "what do you enjoy? Outside of fighting."

What do I enjoy besides fighting? Memories flashed through my mind of days- weeks in real-life sims, alone in forests, on mountains, exploring. Climbing to the rim of a large valley, sitting on a rock shelf, and eating peanuts from an MRE while looking over the 30-kilometer wide bowl as the sun broke over the horizon to my right. I don't remember what planet that was on, but I do remember climbing through the night specifically so I could have that view in the morning.

There were more.

The first time I remember going to space. I was three or four at the time. Staring out the window of our shuttle… I don't remember anything about the journey except watching the bright blue of the sky fade into the inky blackness of space, the vibrant stars beyond coming into view out in the vacuum of space.

While I was in training, during any number of the sims, I made a habit of building… more intricate shelters than I probably needed. There was a lot of trial and error, and more than a few times they'd come collapsing down on me.

But as time went on, I got better and better. Once I even made one in the mouth of a small cave. It was impossible to see from the outside and the door I'd made from two layers of thin branches even had a latch. I spent entirely too long making it, but that was a shelter I was proud of.

"I enjoy finding a good view." My eyes drifted back to Anna. "And I like building things."

A cautious smile drifted across her face. "Like what?"

"Spent a lot of time alone in unforgiving environments. Building shelters became as much a hobby as anything. Also building traps-"

"That's related to fighting", Alex interrupted.

I shrugged. "Or hunting."

Ellie chuckled. "He has a point."

"What?" the other woman asked, mock anger in her voice, "you're gonna take his side?"

"I'm agreeing with whoever's right."

Alex frowned. "Whatever."

"Uh…" Anna mumbled before either of the other two could continue their fake argument. "Do you mind if I ask something else then?" I shrugged again. "What's your favorite view?"

My favorite view? That would probably be the first time I saw space. It's most likely in part because it was with my parents instead of ONI, but it's also the first memory I have of going off-world. Even if mankind had been a space-faring species for almost six centuries, I can still appreciate the spectacle.

Sharing that information with them… felt wrong. Talking about personal things, it didn't get me anywhere good last time, especially personal things that have to do with my family, with my life before the attack. That isn't to say I'm not glad those memories are back, but discussing them wasn't something I wanted to do.

Not again.

"Hey", Perkins said. She was looking at Anna but I caught her glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. "Let's not push our luck, okay? This is the first time he's talked about anything but fighting since I've met him. Don't want to twist anything in his head too hard, we need him for fighting."

Alex laughed again. "Yeah, probably a good idea. Soldier boy only has so many words he can say in a day before his brain overheats."

The three of them began chuckling. Ellie knew what I was thinking. While most of what I talk about is fighting, the secretary has been around for more than that. It was odd to have her cover for me, maybe she didn't want my reluctance to come across as distrust, even if that's what it is.

And it seems like they enjoy making jokes at my expense.

Anna, still smiling, met my gaze again. "You said you enjoy building things, would it… be alright if I bounced a few ideas off you? Not now, of course", she added hurriedly. "Just, you know, some time."

The plan was to discuss changes with Preston, so I'm sure I'd end up talking with her anyway. It would be a good opportunity to learn; I know what I've taught myself about construction, but that's mostly with rigging together whatever I can find. This more organized version could be valuable in the future.

"There are some changes I'd like to make to the current fortifications", I replied. "I intend to discuss that decision with Preston first, but I'm guessing you'll be brought in."

The woman nodded, her smile broadening. "Yeah. Mr. Garvey has me handling most of that now."

Mr. Garvey? I cocked an eyebrow behind my visor. That's the first time I've heard someone call him that.

"When is he supposed to return?"

"Not sure", Alexandra replied, shrugging. "The settlement he went to is about a half-hour north of us. Left about an hour ago… they'll probably be back in another hour. Maybe a bit more."

Ellie stood. "Well, if that's the case, I'm going to grab Sturges. The three of you can take a look at what changes Damon wants to make."

The cautious curiosity on Anna's face instantly melted back into alarm. "What? Why?"

"If you're going to be involved in the adjustments, might as well get a head start on it."

"Bu-"

Alex placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll be there to make sure Soldier Boy doesn't do anything to you."

Even though it's obvious they were giving her a hard time, two questions came to mind: why was Anna so nervous around me, and why were Ellie and Alex so comfortable. Yes, they've known me for a while now, but after what's happened, I haven't given them any reason to trust me. Have I?

Before I could ask, the secretary had already begun toward Sturges' workshop.

Whatever their perspective, the engineer wouldn't be happy with the request. He was, justifiably, still pissed. Were they doing this to get him to relax around me again?

If that's the case, it brought me back to my question: why do they trust me?

"What do you think's gonna happen Anna?" Alex asked as she finished whatever she was eating.

"I- I don't know", the other woman said, gazing at me.

There was a mixture of wonder and that all too familiar apprehension in her wide eyes, the stiffness in her neck and her shoulders, and the way she was fidgeting with her hands. People in my universe treat SPARTANs like they're something other than what we are: soldiers. Yes we're augmented, yes we're trained, yes we have Mjolnir, but that doesn't make us anything besides soldiers.

This felt the same. People look at me as though I'm something more, like I'm some… icon.

I've always hated that.

Maybe saying there's nothing special about us that didn't come out of vial would be wrong, but the… unique circumstances that produced the IIs and IIIs don't mean anyone should look at us with the fear and awe they do. The damn near reverence people, especially civilians, in UNSC space think about SPARTANs with. The people who know me, Alex, Ellie, Preston, Sturges…

Nate.

They know that's stupid, they know that's wrong.

Don't they?

It's possible doing this with Anna might help.

How?

Showing her there's no reason to be afraid. No reason to admire me.

It isn't a bad idea…

"How long have you been responsible for the fortifications?" I asked.

Anna blinked. "In charge of the fortifications…? Uh, well, I started working with Sturges and Mac about two months ago. After they saw I had an eye for this sort of thing, they decided I should be in charge. That was about… three weeks later I guess."

That would have been around the time the Brotherhood ambushed Nate and me, and we made it to the Institute. So she's been involved in a lot of the construction then.

"Where have you been scavenging the material from?"

"Oh, there are plenty of places around here to get it: we used most of the cars here, at least the ones that hadn't rusted into the ground. The gas station", she pointed to the south, "had five or six of them at it, plus the station itself. And then up at the Vault, we've taken apart five of the shipping containers they had up there." She shrugged. "There have been a few runs we've made to other neighborhoods that hadn't been settled, but those have been rarer. Too dangerous."

Good, resourceful. Most of the materials they'd use to build the walls wouldn't stop anything powerful, but then I guess it depends on how they're constructed.

"Have you done any ballistic testing with them?"

Anna nodded. "Me and Sturges did some when we decided to redo how we build the walls." She smiled. "He told me you helped them come up with the armor plates they put in the houses. I thought it would be a good idea to test those. They held up okay, but we made a few changes."

Huh… that's a good start. It was something I hadn't had the chance to do back then. Or something I thought about, really. Making them thick enough to work on a small scale was all I was worried about. I didn't think about how they'd scale to a larger fortification like the wall.

I nodded. "That's a good idea."

"Ooooooh", Alex cooed, gently elbowing the younger woman in the arm. "He likes you."

She frowned. "What are you talking about? He's just asking me questions about my work."

That's true, I was, but this interaction was starting to amuse me. At least she isn't afraid to give Alex her bullshit back.

The older woman shot back an exaggerated frown of her own. "Fine then, I was just trying to make you feel good."

"Sarcasm isn't how you do it."

Before Alex could respond, footsteps from behind me drew my attention to Perkins leading an unhappy-looking Sturges toward us. He was glaring at me.

"Alright", the secretary said as she came to a stop beside me. "Why don't you three talk about the changes you want to suggest Damon, Alex, and I have some things to handle."

So they're leaving me alone with someone who's angry at me, and another who's half-scared of me.

Great.

"Uh-huh", the other woman said as we all stood from the table. She didn't seem happy.

"Yes. We'll start by hauling that", Perkins pointed at the makeshift stool I'd been using, "back to the workshop."

"I can do it", I said, reaching down to grab one of its legs.

"No, no-"

"Ellie", I interrupted. "I'll take it back."

She frowned at me but nodded. "Suit yourself." The relatively well-dressed woman waved to Alex. "Come on, Vincent wanted to ask you a few things about how we'd set up that settlement on the way to the farms."

After a moment's hesitation, she nodded as well and the two of them started toward the east end of the settlement.

Were they planning on this? No… there were too many ways this conversation could have gone. They saw an opportunity and jumped on it. Whether it was a genuine attempt to smooth things over between me and these two (why they chose Anna, I'm not sure) or if it was something else, I feel like they're getting amusement out of my discomfort.

I don't appreciate when the schadenfreude is at my expense.

Sturges cleared his throat. "Take my worktable back so we can get this over with."

He sounds about as excited as me.

Carrying the small worktable, apparently, back toward the rear of the house he'd set up as a workshop, I deposited it under the large cover he'd erected and we headed toward the perimeter wall.

Anna began discussing the changes they made to the steel segments and, the more she talked, the more animated she became.

"They're still sandwiched together, but we found staggering the materials helped during our ballistic testing. The outer layer is a mixture of the hardest metals and ceramics we could find. That helps break up the bullet and as it penetrates through the other layers, they'll catch it. From what I understand, it's how composite armor worked pre-war."

Sturges nodded. "Yes. We weren't able to find the same material to layer along the outside of the wall, so we scrounged up a few different types that were as close to each other as possible. Best we figured during our testing was it'd stop armor-piercing rounds coming out of that." He pointed to the MK-18 on my back. "There are a few sections we made thicker that'll take on bigger stuff, but we don't have the material to do it all the way around."

"Right", Anna continued, "but we've also been working on a few ways to improve that too. With more and more settlements helping us out, we should be able to pool resources and make it better." She rapped a knuckle against the wall. "Don't get me started on how long it took us to figure out a better way to put these together. That was a mess"

Before she could say anything else, Sturges cleared his throat and, when I met his gaze, he was wearing that suspicious frown once again. "What are you wanting to change?"

"The wall along the southeast corner that's up against the river needs to move back, you'll need more firing positions, and if you have any spotlights those need to be mounted."

There was a moment of silence before Sturges snorted.

"Oh right", he muttered. "Just move the wall. We'll get right on that."

You don't have to like it. "It's a weakness." I nodded toward it. "That's how I got in without being seen."

The engineer glared at me. "Any other changes you want us to make? So far we have move the wall, make more firing slots, mount and wiring lighting…" He motioned to small armored perches they had on a few houses. "What about those? Wanna tear them down and remake them?"

I cocked my head at him. "You're aware I'm trying to help."

"Yes… You're trying to help. I know what that looks like."

Really? You know what that looks like? Does it look like me saving you? Twice? Does it look like me taking out that group of Gunners? Does it look like agreeing to stay and help keep everyone here safe? Yes, I screwed up with the Railroad but, in the end, I did the right thing: I left. I left despite the fact I wanted to be the one to keep Cass and Tommy safe. I left because it was the right thing to do at the time.

"Does it look like the few dozen Raiders I killed to keep you all safe when we first met?"

"Yes", Sturges replied, voice icy, "you helping looks like dead bodies, Damon."

He's right about that at least.

"Not the Railroad's."

"That doesn't-"

"No", I cut him off, shaking my head. "It doesn't change it. I went there to kill them. But I didn't." I stared the smaller man down for a few silent heartbeats.

This is something I need to figure out myself before I have Sturges start berating me over it again. Alex had her own opinion on the matter, which I'm starting to agree with, but she doesn't personally know the people in the Railroad. Sturges is upset and I can't blame him for that, but I'm here now and, unless he wants this place to get attacked by the Institute, Brotherhood, or both, we need to work together.

"You know I don't expect you to trust me so don't waste time arguing about it."

The engineer's eyes narrowed but, after a moment, he nodded.

"Well then…" Anna ventured. She was watching me with a curious frown. "I can start putting plans together to construct a replacement wall. Shouldn't be too hard, we already have the designs. Few hours at the most."

"I'll get to work with Ellie and Hugh on wiring up the lights", Sturges said. "We have a few we can use, just need to come up with telescoping mounts so we can raise and low 'em."

It wasn't a perfect plan and more improvements could still be made, but it's a start.

What's more is I have at least tacit cooperation from Sturges. That's a start too.

The next few hours passed quietly. I ended up hauling materials from one of the houses on the northeast corner to where Anna wanted to begin construction. The other settlers involved seemed to appreciate the help, if mostly because I halved their work.

When it was all laid out, the supplies didn't seem like anywhere near enough.

Anna wasn't concerned. "We've got more up by the Vault. Sturges and me will head up there tomorrow to cut one of the shipping containers down." She smiled. "It'd be damn nice to have your help dragging that stuff back here."

It isn't like I have any plans at the moment. "We'll see."

"From what Alex tells me, that's about as encouraging as a thunderstorm around here."

She was trying to make a joke, but whether she thought it was bad or thought I wouldn't understand it I didn't know. Either way, she was presenting an opportunity that I wasn't sure I wanted to pass up. Even though I just met the young woman, she seemed competent and motivated. Besides… as Fourier loved to point out every chance he got, I could do a little more work in the PR department. Maybe I didn't care enough to socialize with most people back in my universe, but these people are different if only because of circumstance.

And maybe I like them a little more.

I cocked my head and silently stared at the brown-haired woman. After a few seconds, she began frowning and, after a few more, that frown grew uncomfortable.

"Because… you know… radiation…?" She chewed on her lower lip. "I'm trying to say-"

"Alex told you when I say 'we'll see' it generally means that thing won't happen. I know."

She blinked, opened her mouth, then blinked again. The other settlers were watching. If the quick glance around was anything to judge by, they were curious.

"Are you… messing with me?"

After another short pause, I shrugged. "I'll let you figure that out."

Without waiting for another reply, I started back toward the center of Sanctuary. I hadn't seen Preston return yet which was odd considering Alex said he'd be back in an hour three hours ago. That isn't necessarily cause for concern, I don't know what they might be doing, but it would probably be a good idea to ask.

When I found her, she was with Owen, Valentine, MacCready, Vincent, and another woman I hadn't seen before in the armory.

"Wow Damon", she mused, "that's some good timing." Alex motioned at MacCready and the other woman. "These two just got back from the settlement Preston went to this morning. They were hit by a band of Raiders three days ago."

Is that her asking me to find them? Raiders are pretty high on my shit list. I wouldn't be opposed to dealing with a group. "Do you know where they went?"

She shook her head. "We don't and we aren't talking about them. The settlement is just asking for some added security for a few days while they pick things back up. Sounds like they hunkered down pretty good, fended them off without losing more than a few people. A lot of their settlement was damaged though."

Added security? "How long and how large is the settlement?"

"It shouldn't take them more than two days to get things square away", MacCready replied. "We can handle it if you have more important things to do."

More important things to do… The former mercenary certainly knows how to aggravate me. Unless the Institute or Brotherhood come calling, which I doubt they will within the next week, there's nothing for me to do here besides sit on my ass and haul more scrap for the wall around. It might not be much better wherever this settlement is, but at least I won't be in the same place doing nothing.

"Are they already a part of your network?"

Alexandra blinked. "Our network?"

"No", MacCready said before I could reply. "That's why we were up there, trying to talk them into helping. Now we've got a shot." He frowned. "I don't like using a situation like this, but we can help those people as much as they can help us."

They're going to need everyone they can get.

"I'll go."

MacCready gazed at me for a quiet moment before nodding.

"We'll leave the others here then. Our friend here should be sufficient." He cocked an eyebrow at me. "Right?"

Defending a small settlement against a possible Raider attack?

"Yes."

"Alright, let's get moving."

X

When we arrived back at the settlement, a small neighborhood not unlike Sanctuary without the river, Preston seemed surprised to see me. Granted, he wasn't as surprised, or alarmed, as the settlers who had to be placated by him and MacCready. There were 30 or so people in the 12 houses. It was set at the end of a long, heavily damaged road surrounded by forest. They'd cleared a large section to the north of the settlement where they had various crops growing and all of it was surrounded by a fence. That fence, about a meter and a half high and constructed out of wood, looked like it might be useful for keeping out small wildlife.

As most of the settlers gathered around me, all staring at me with either suspicion, confusion, or both, I started thinking coming here was a mistake. Among the settlers were a half dozen young kids. All of them were gawking at me in amazement. I don't need this sort of attention and they seemed more nervous than was healthy.

"Everyone", Preston said, standing beside me, "this is Damon. He helped us set up Sanctuary a few months back, wiped out the Raider gang that attacked us, and is helping us set up some new defenses now. He's a friend and he's here to make sure everyone stays safe."

One of the settlers, an older man with a closely shaven head wearing a red flannel shirt and jeans that looked like they needed to be retired a few decades ago, stepped forward.

"You're workin' with the Brotherhood?" he asked in a thick, drawling voice.

The Minuteman shook his head. "Nah Greg, he isn't with the Brotherhood. It's…" the dark-skinned man glanced up at me, "complicated, but they don't like him either."

"Where'd he get that fancy armor from then?"

I was starting to get the feeling these people were suspicious of everything and everyone outside of their little piece of the Commonwealth. Probably not a bad thing considering the circumstances.

"He from the Institute?"

"No he's…" Preston paused and, though he wasn't looking at me, even I could see he was flustered. He hadn't expected me to show up. That's something I should have considered before agreeing to come. It isn't like I could walk away now and everything would be fixed. They'd still have questions, ones with answers that wouldn't do anything but make things worse.

Telling these people I'm from another universe, transported here by some kind of wormhole technology I don't understand in the slightest is a horrible idea.

"I can't tell you exactly Greg because I don't know, not everything. I can tell you Sanctuary wouldn't exist without him and most of the people there would be dead." He shrugged. "When's Abigail and Abraham coming up here next?"

The plump man blinked. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"Ask 'em how they know Damon." A smile slipped across his face. "It's a good story."

"They've joined you guys too", a man that looked like a younger, more fit version of Greg said. "Who's to say they don't play along?"

I squinted at the collection of settlers. That question was ridiculous, even by the standards of the Commonwealth. What the hell is going on here? Conspiracism about a small collection of settlements that, according to Preston, has maybe 500 people? Do they have a conspiracy about anyone not in their community?

Standing around wouldn't get us anywhere. I'm here for security, not to be pestered by random people coming up with wild, unfounded ideas. Even if the truth is far stranger than they'd ever guess.

While I should have known exposing my cooperation with Sanctuary to other people would be met with doubt, this is ridiculous. From the sounds of it, I should have left security up to Preston and MacCready and helped with the fortifications.

Turning to the Minuteman I said, "I'm going to recon the area."

Preston cocked an eyebrow at me but nodded. "Mack, take Steph and head out with him"

"Got it", the ex-mercenary replied.

The two of them followed me away from the collection of settlers crowding around Preston.

"That went well", the woman, Steph, muttered as soon as we were out of earshot.

MacCready grunted. "Yeah, that was a dumb idea on my part." He glanced up and, for the first time, grinned at me. "Hey, you wanna meet my giant killer robot friend? He's friendly, I swear."

Steph laughed. "Better than if you told them about Sturges."

"Did you know they might react like this?" I asked.

"Didn't think about it, really", MacCready replied with a shrug. "Greg and his people were one of the first settlements we contacted after we decided we wanted to build a community." He smirked again. "They've been convinced the entire time we're an Institute plant trying to get them to cooperate for some kind of experiment."

We exited the fenced-off area and headed toward the south edge of the oblong clearing.

Trick them into cooperating? If the Institute wanted to use them for an experiment, they wouldn't need to trick them. I cocked my head.

"Yeah, yeah, I know…" he trailed off and a frown drifted across his face. "But when you live in isolation and you're only told one thing your entire life, it becomes reality. Doesn't matter if it's true or not."

The melancholy he said that with and the wistful look on his face… he was speaking from experience. I don't know if I can say I've had the same. Sure, I was trained and conditioned to do one thing, but somewhere in the back of my head, I always knew what I was doing. I always knew what ONI was doing to me. Maybe that's why, even when I was working for them, I hated ONI. No… 'hated' isn't the right word, but if I could get away with putting my handler in the hospital, I probably would have.

He was a heartless asshole, even by my standards. As far as I could tell, all ONI intel officers are like that. Probably have to be to do what they do. 'For the good of humanity' or whatever the hell Baker would say.

Sounds a lot like that Institute shrink and her 'For the Greater Good'. Difference was Baker knew he was full of shit, ONI does what it does for power.

"Agreed."

"You… have experience with that?" MacCready ventured, voice guarded.

"I do", I replied with a nod. "It's why I'm who- what I am." I shrugged. "Don't know if I ever believed what I was being told. Didn't care as long as I got to hurt the things that hurt me." Even if they weren't my primary targets…

"At least you were smart enough to realize that."

I huffed. "It wasn't intelligence. They knew they didn't have to convince me to do what they wanted."

There was a moment of silence as we entered the woods and began pacing a perimeter around the settlement. Everything was calm and, besides the trees swaying gently in the wind, everything was motionless. Wild animals, even irradiated ones, seem to have the same tendencies as the ones I'm used to from my universe: they don't like being around people. Besides, now that the world is destroyed and humanity is scattered, they have plenty of room to live without contacting us.

Someone else might say it's peaceful.

"Do you… still think like that?" MacCready asked eventually. He was awfully curious all of a sudden.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you and I both know you've killed a lot of people. It doesn't sound like you believed the justification the people you work for gave to you so…"

So…? I glanced at the former mercenary. "I don't work for them anymore. And I didn't need their justification for doing what I did." Doesn't mean it was a good one though. There were plenty of Innies that deserved what I did to them. I don't know how many didn't though. And they weren't the Covenant. "I'm still figuring out why I do it now. It's what I know but…" I trailed off. I know what I want to say 'it feels different now' but would that fly?

"But what?" Steph asked. She was watching the two of us with a curious frown.

"For now I'm content saying it's to help Sanctuary." And Cass, Tommy, and Julian.

The two of them fell quiet again, the only sound was the dry dirt crunching underfoot and dry leaves and branches being ruffled by the wind. With the sun beginning its descent toward the western horizon, the shadows were beginning to grow long, and its light was turning orange.

"Works for me", MacCready said eventually. "As long as that doesn't change."

"There's no reason it would."

The rest of the walk was spent in silence. I had the two of them spread out to maintain better spacing but, while I would have preferred to do this alone, didn't send them back to the settlement. They need to learn how to do this at some point.

Or at least Steph does. MacCready seemed like he already knew what he was doing: his footsteps were light, he stuck to visual cover when he could, eyes alert and scanning the forest.

It made sense Preston had gravitated to him for security advice.

About 20 minutes in, when we reached the northern edge of the settlement, I found evidence of their fight. Footprints blanketed the area along with spent shell casings from a variety of weapons and a dozen patches of blood. All of them had trails leading north toward… wherever this band had come from. Five of the blood patches had the imprints of a body, drag marks leading away from those.

There was too much overlap to tell how many had attacked, but I spotted at least eight different kinds of shell casings. They ranged from small pistol brass to rifle and shotgun empties.

The attackers didn't make it past the perimeter fence into their farms though, which was impressive.

My gaze wandered to the settlement. The people living there were wandering around again, cleaning up, repairing damaged houses…

One was digging.

They put up a good fight.

MacCready studied the mess of compacted dirt and splashes of blood with a dangerously neutral expression. He was mad, extremely mad, and doing his best to control it.

That's something I can relate to. While I don't know or much care for these people, they'd been attacked without provocation. By Raiders.

After about 45 minutes, we reached the southern edge of the settlement again, and the sun was almost touching the treetops to our west. Preston was waiting there for us looking distinctly unhappy.

"Wasn't expecting you, Damon."

A pang of guilt shot through my head.

"They didn't seem friendly."

The former Minuteman held my gaze for a few seconds before relenting with a sigh. "No, they aren't. Greg, the settlement's leader, is suspicious of everyone. Still isn't sure I'm not an Institute Synth sent here to kill them or something." He rubbed his face. "Then you show up and I'm stuck trying to describe an inter-dimensional supersoldier to them."

I allowed myself a small smile.

"Doesn't sound like that went well", MacCready said. He sounded a lot less amused.

"It didn't", Preston said through his hand. "But they've agreed to let us stick around and make sure no one comes knocking while they clean up and pay their respects."

They agreed to let us play watchdog? That sounds awfully grateful.

"How long?" I asked.

"They want us gone by tomorrow night. I'm okay with that unless you have other ideas." He dropped his hand away from his face. The dark-skinned man's expression said he didn't expect me to.

He's right.

"That's fine."

"Great. I'm gonna go get us some food. How do you want to do this?"

The settlement doesn't have much by way of perimeter lighting. The only things I could see were a few burn barrels. It doesn't look like they have electricity out here. I've heard of people like that in UNSC space, civilians who live off-grid to stay away from the UNSC's eyes. Or ONI's. Why would people here choose to do that?

Whatever, it doesn't matter.

Without NVS, the three of them wouldn't be very useful in the forest tonight. New moon and what little starlight there is wouldn't get through the trees.

"Stay in the settlement, provide close support. I'll be out on the perimeter."

Preston nodded. "Sounds good to me."

The three of them paced back toward the settlement as I began another lap of the small village. Why does Preston want to help these people? They're clearly not interested in joining their network

It wasn't all bad though; the night of scouting would give me time to think, something I need to do, badly. After yesterday, my plans are up in smoke and I need to figure something out. Something that involves Sanctuary and their other settlements. And how to prepare them for whatever comes next between them, me, the Institute, and the Brotherhood.

… That sounds like a lot of work.

The night passed without incident and, as the sky brightened and, eventually, the sun peeked over the trees, I headed back toward the settlement. I'd scouted to half a klick around the place and found no signs of an upcoming attack.

More importantly, I had a few ideas for how to start preparing Sanctuary. No plans had formed but that's understandable considering I've never planned for untrained civilians to be part of my strategies.

Several of the kids I'd seen the day before were waiting at the fence, staring at me as I approached. They were young, maybe Tommy and Julian's age. All of them had shaggy hair, were covered in dirt, and wearing old clothes that probably should have been burned a decade ago.

What struck me the most was their expressions. I've been around young kids, both here and in the UNSC. The ones in the UNSC always responded to SPARTANs with wonder; I'm sure they'd all seen the propaganda the UNSC wraps us in. The ones here were a mixture of wonder and fear.

These five were suspicious.

Each of them looked like they'd rather throw the rocks lying at their feet at me than let me pass. Narrowed eyes, firm set jaws… anger in their stares.

These are kids, they respond to what happens in the world around them. They weren't born into this, their parents are responsible for the animosity they were sending my way.

It reminded me of the few times I'd run into kids during missions to attack insurrectionists. One, in particular, stood out. It was in… I think 2553 and ONI had tasked me with eliminating a small outpost. It turned out to be a community constructed in the wilderness of some outer system planet. Fundies. Fundies who believed in the Covenant.

It was at the end of the operation. With most of the Fundies dead, the leadership had surrendered.

But then a kid, maybe a little younger than I was at the time, 13 or so, came screaming at me, charging me with a knife.

He was a threat so I eliminated him.

The community members didn't like that, but an ONI corvette was already hovering a klick south of the settlement. There wasn't anything they could do about it.

Even then, back when I was just as closed off as I had been after the Covenant attack, that felt… odd.

Now that these kids remind me of it though… What was the difference between the kid lying on the concrete, the back of his head missing, and me? I'd probably killed his parents, just like the Covenant had mine. Almost a decade of training, augmentations, resources, and a government powerful enough for me to get away with it?

The quintet of kids didn't move as I walked past them. They only continued staring. I could feel their eyes drilling into my back as I headed toward the houses where Preston, MacCready, and Steph were waiting inside.

Damn… What if Julian ends up like that? Or the Fundie kid I'd killed?

No. It doesn't matter what the Brotherhood does to him. My mistakes are why he's in their hands now. Pulling the trigger on him is a no-go.

Period.

What about these kids though?

X

We left shortly after noon. It was hard to see what Preston was trying to accomplish in that settlement. At any given time, I had at least half a dozen people- armed people- watching me. They weren't interested in cooperating with anyone.

As with the journey there, and the time in the settlement, the walk back was spent mostly in silence. Unlike the prior 18 or so hours, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. That's probably a good thing; Steph and MacCready weren't tense around me, at least not as much as most of the settlers in Sanctuary had been the day before.

It only took us about half an hour to return to the settlement and, when we did, Preston waved me toward the armory. "Hey Mack, can you give us a few minutes?"

The former mercenary nodded without his customary hesitation.

"Thanks."

I got the customary looks as I entered the settlement, but people seemed hard at work. Several were pulling makeshift carts covered in steel plates, while others carried tools and other supplies. Seems like they're already at work on the changes we discussed yesterday.

Once we were inside, the smaller man removed his hat and set it on the table. Running a hand over his short cut hair he groaned.

"That went well."

"Why are you helping them?"

He frowned up at me. "What?"

"They aren't going to. What's the point of continuing to try?"

"That…" Preston blinked slowly. "I know they aren't going to join, but that's what we- the Minutemen did, we helped people when they needed it. They're a small settlement isolated in the middle of nowhere. We're the closest, the Finches and their people are the next closest, but they won't take help besides food."

"So if they don't want help, why give it?"

"Because they're just trying to survive like everyone else. Isn't that why you're helping us?"

"No", I replied, "I'm helping because…" Because I want to? Why do I want to?

Preston's frown deepened. "Because…?"

"Because it's the right thing to do." That sounded right but… it still didn't quite fit.

"Well", the former Minuteman said, "helping them is also the right thing to do."

I guess you could argue that if you're going to say everyone deserves the help.

My mind flashed back to the young kids staring at me that morning, anger in their eyes they probably didn't understand. They were told to be suspicious of anyone outside their community, so they were. They deserved it, didn't they? Help? Do their parents, the people who made them like that?

Someone had to make them like that too, right?

That one I'm not so sure about. I've met enough Innies to know some people just are that.

"Mayb-"

The sound of pounding footsteps from outside caught everyone's attention. It wasn't just one set, there were a few dozen, all heading toward the south end of the settlement. No gunfire but that didn't mean anything.

I bolted for the door, slipping past everyone else and out into the afternoon. There were several people still on the street, each now missing their supplies, now carrying a firearm, most heading into houses. I followed the ones heading toward the main entrance.

As I neared, I saw Alex standing beside the closed door with Julian and a half dozen others. If they were responding to a threat, they were too close to the wall, and too close together.

"Move back and spread out", I ordered. I got a few hesitant glances, but they complied.

Following Alex to the house directly in front of the door, I crouched beside her, watching the entrance for whatever had everyone spooked.

"Situation?"

"I'm… not sure. There's someone dressed in Brotherhood gear on the far side of the bridge. They asked to talk with Preston, but haven't said anything since."

Preston? Yeah, the last thing I'm gonna do is send him out there to get shot. If this was the Brotherhood, that was trouble, if it was someone pretending to be the Brotherhood, that was also trouble.

I shook my head. "No. Have them remove their gear, leave it on the far side of the bridge, and approach the door."

The woman shot me a glance. "Am I a negotiator now?"

"Congratulations on the promotion", I said before making for the nearest guard position. I need to get eyes on our guest and, while I'd prefer to slip out the north side of Sanctuary to see if we had any others lying in wait, I don't have time for that, and there's no telling where they might be.

"Sure, no problem. Ass", I heard Alex mutter as I left.

Preston passed me with a few others including Owens and MacCready. They all shot me questioning glances, but I don't know enough about the situation to tell them anything. I waved toward Alex but didn't stop.

When I arrived at the first firing position, three settlers were there. It was a mostly intact house they had built the wall into with steel plates ringing well-disguised firing ports. As I crept into the building, one of them, a lanky, middle-aged man, looked at me with a concerned and confused frown. I motioned at his firing position. The guard looked from me to the half-meter by half-meter square before slowly nodding.

"I don't know who you are", Alex shouted from behind the wall, "but drop everything except your clothes and cross the bridge. Slowly."

As he retreated from the port, I settled in behind it and peered through-

Haylen?

It's been a while, but I'd recognize her diminutive frame and sharp features anywhere. She was one of the few Brotherhood members I thought might actually be worthwhile. Did she have anything to do with the ambush? With trying to capture Cass, Tommy, and Julian?

"All I want to do is talk", she called back.

"Yeah, I'm sure you do. If you wanna talk, you do what I say. We aren't one of the small, vulnerable farms you guys have been taking advantage of."

The scribe didn't respond immediately. Instead, she was gazing at the settlement, probably studying its fortifications. It wasn't a surprise she knew Preston was Sanctuary's leader; the scribes are both the secretarial and intelligence members of the Brotherhood. While it may not be a major settlement like Diamond City or Goodneighbor, Sanctuary was relatively large, and its influence was growing. I'd be disappointed if they didn't know everything they could about it.

I couldn't see anything in the surrounding forests and fields behind her. If there were more Brotherhood soldiers out there, they'd be in hiding.

This seemed off though; why would they send Haylen, a low-level scribe? If they wanted to negotiate, they normally sent a 'delegation' of power-armored knights and paladins. Usually accompanied by Vertibirds. Maxson liked to lean on people, show them he had the resources to do whatever he wanted. It's a good strategy given the conditions.

So how does this work? How does a lone scribe show up with no obvious escort?

Haylen began stripping everything until all she wore was a pair of oversized combat fatigues, boots, and a t-shirt.

"Alright", she shouted, "I'm coming across."

What the hell is going on here?

Whatever it was, I need more information, and I'm not going to get it sitting here. Plus, now that I know the threat probably isn't imminent, taking time to make sure the area is secure is priority number one.

I slipped out of the house and back over to where Alex was, behind the dilapidated hulk that still mostly resembled a house. Preston was with her; he looked as confused as I felt.

"Do you think they know you're here?" the man asked as I stopped beside them.

"No, they'd come in a lot harder if this was for me."

"Okay- okay." Preston glanced at the door. "We're going to let her in, search her, and question her. Do you want to be here for that?"

"I'm going to scout the perimeter, try and figure out what's happening."

"I can send Mac-"

"Next time", I interrupted. "Too much risk and I haven't had time to patrol with any of your people. This is the Brotherhood."

The former Minuteman grimaced. "I gotcha. Then let us know what you find, I guess."

With that, I nodded and turned for the north end of the settlement. I started with the hills above Sanctuary, sweeping out a perimeter 200 meters around the shack, leading up to the Vault.

Nothing.

There was nothing on either slope either and, making my way down the hill and across to the south side of the river, there was nothing there either. If any Brotherhood soldiers were in the forests within a half klick of the settlement, they were doing a phenomenal job of hiding their presence. Hell, I even took the time to search the lone, crumbling gas station on the south side of the river. T-60 is about as unsubtle as it gets; if they were around, I should be able to find some sign, but there was nothing.

And that just made me more suspicious. What the hell was Haylen doing here on her own?

Only one way to find out.

By the time I was done with my sweep, the sun was nearing the western horizon. The back of my head was tingling, like the feeling I always get when I'm being watched. I couldn't tell if that was paranoia, or if someone really was out there.

Before I crossed back to the hills north of Sanctuary, I scanned the water for any potential threats. It would take a monumental lapse in their security measure for someone to sneak into the river but…

Or would it? The T-60 is water-tight and hardened against radiation. What if they slipped into the river up or downstream from the settlement and walked along the riverbed? I'd have to give them some credit for ingenuity if that's the route they took, but it still wouldn't make sense, especially given they have air support and superior weaponry. None of this fit the Brotherhood's MO.

Just to be safe, before I abandoned my search, I slipped into the river too and spent 15 minutes clearing the riverbed.

And still nothing.

Now alarm bells were screeching in my head.

My only option is to talk with Haylen then.

I extricated myself from the river and snuck back up the hillside before circling back down into the settlement. The streets were still empty when I arrived, save the dozen guards walking them, watching for an engagement that… I wasn't sure was coming. Did Haylen really come here alone?

Stopping one, a tall, lanky woman I asked, "where are they?"

"In there", she replied, pointing toward a house on the northeast corner of the settlement. "That's our holding area."

With a nod, I started toward the house. Why was Haylen here? Why was she alone? Did she go AWOL? If that's the case, why did she come to Sanctuary? Why would she specifically want to talk with Preston? If she was AWOL, why did she still have her gear? Wouldn't she want to ditch it so she didn't look so conspicuous?

As I neared the house, Preston marched from the dark interior straight toward me. His eyes were narrowed, and jaw set.

"She's looking for you", he said, voice worried. So that wasn't irritation, or at least not irritation leveled at me. He was concerned the Brotherhood was already coming after us.

Me? The Brotherhood knows I'm here? Why the hell would they send Haylen then?

"Did she know I was here?"

The dark-skinned man shook his head, oversized hat swaying as he did. "No, she just said she wanted to get in touch with you about something urgent and this was the only way she could think of to contact you." He squinted. "I told her I'd let you know, but until you did, she'd have to stay there."

Something urgent. What the hell is going on?

"Get everyone out of the house."

"You aren't talking to her without me."

I didn't think that was distrust. I'm not sure what it was, but the concern was understandable. I nodded and he followed me back toward the house."

Inside, Valentine and MacCready were standing with Alex. Behind them was the Scribe seated in a chair that looked like it was ready to collapse, her eyes going wide and mouth dropping open as I entered.

"You- you're here?" That surprise seemed genuine enough.

"Can you give us some space?" Preston asked the others.

Valentine nodded. "You got it." He and Alex left, but MacCready lingered a moment, glancing back and forth between Haylen and I before finally relenting and marching out behind the other two.

"Damon… I didn't think you'd actually be here I-" her mouth drifted closed as her brow furrowed. "I'd hoped I'd get a little while longer to think about what I'm going to say."

"Why are you here, Haylen?"

The scribe's eyes dropped to her boots and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I need help."

That… wasn't what I was expecting.

"I need help with something and- and I don't know who I can trust." Her voice was wavering like the scribe was fighting to hold back tears.

"You're with the Brotherhood", Preston said, "why are you here, asking for help from us?"

"Because I…" Haylen trailed off, her eyes still glued to the cracked, and corroded floor.

The former Minuteman opened his mouth to say something, but I waved it off. I may not be an expert with social interactions, but I am pretty good at extracting information. Just like with those Gunners, sometimes it's better to let the person talk on their own.

Silence blanketed the run-down house, oddly well matched with the setting sun's amber light streaming through the windows and walls. The sounds of activity from outside drifted in as well, but that didn't intrude on the quiet surrounding the three of us. Whatever Haylen was here for, it was something she's struggling with. There are times pushing someone in a fragile emotional state will only make things worse, especially if you want their cooperation. Haylen is a person who had been with the Brotherhood for a while; even if it isn't completely her choice, I want her cooperation.

"I was wrong", she said eventually, voice barely a whisper. "I was wrong about everything."

"I need more details."

When she looked up to meet my gaze once again, her eyes weren't bloodshot or filled with tears, they were glazed and lifeless. The slack muscles in her face and jaw, the almost deadened way she stared at me, it was the picture of dejected.

"The Brotherhood- they…" A small frown drifted across her face. "You were right about them… what you said. They- they aren't what I thought they were."

The young scribe was working through something, she just needed a push. "During the ride to West Everett Estates?"

She nodded absently. "I thought I joined them to do good. To be good but…" Haylen inhaled sharply, drawing herself up ever so slightly. "There are good people in the Brotherhood, but Maxson, the direction he's taking it, I can't follow. What's the point of fighting for the 'good of the people' when we hate people just because of what they are? When we hurt them, force them to give us food and supplies, and use the excuse we're doing it because we're there to protect them? What makes us any different from the Gunners, or Raiders?"

The small, pale scribe trailed off again, and I saw a little life come back to her light blue eyes. They were studying me, looking for something.

The second question, about supplies, I understood that one. The Brotherhood wasn't exactly light-handed in their 'requests' for food from the local farms. The first though… hate people just because of what they are? She was talking about Synths but what changed?

"Who are you talking about?"

"Danse", she said, struggling to control the shake in her voice, "Danse is a Synth."

Danse is a Synth? I felt my eyes widen behind my visor. From what I knew, Danse had been with the Brotherhood for years. How the hell could he be a Synth?

"Bullshit."

Haylen chuckled. It didn't have any humor in it. If anything, it felt desperate, disbelieving.

"That's what I thought at first when I found out. I don't know how Maxson learned Danse is a Synth, but he did. The only way I figured it out was when they transferred me to Paladin Marsaul."

She exhaled and her eyes dropped to the floor again. "I didn't understand what was happening, but that wasn't the first time I wondered about everything and I- Marsaul brought me along for negotiations with a dozen or so of the settlements we need more food from. They weren't negotiations. We came with a full squad of soldiers in power armor and a Vertibird. We forced those people to give us more food."

I glanced at Preston. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw was set. Those could have been his people. Soon enough they will be.

"And what you said- implied about the Elder, that he would have attacked you if you didn't align with our goals, even if you weren't with the Institute. I started thinking about that. He told everyone you betrayed us, that you were with the Institute, trying to spy on us."

He wasn't completely wrong.

Haylen rubbed her eyes. "We treat everyone like a subordinate or an enemy, and there's no tolerance for any sort of deviation from Maxson's plans." She looked up at me again. "I joined the Brotherhood because of what they did in the Capital Wasteland, Project Purity, defeating the Enclave." The lost-looking young woman shook her head. "This isn't that Brotherhood."

So Danse is, apparently, a Synth, and was most likely killed because of it. After that happened, Haylen started questioning everything she'd been told, everything she believed, and everything she'd done.

Sounds about right. It also sounded believable, especially given the lack of armed presence in the area to accompany her. Maybe having Ellie talk with her after this to get a better read on the scribe would be a good idea.

"Why did you want to talk with me then? I don't need you to tell me I was right."

She shook her head. "No, I came here because you're the only person I know outside of the Brotherhood."

I blinked. "You know I've been killing Brotherhood personnel."

The small woman's jaw tightened and a little more life flared into her eyes. "I do", she said with a nod.

"So why would you assume I wouldn't kill you?"

"I didn't, but I didn't have anywhere else to go, or anything else to do. I couldn't stay with the Brotherhood, not after- not after I realized how wrong I was."

Uh-huh. That part wasn't as believable.

"There are a lot of settlements in the area that could have taken you in. You came to Sanctuary explicitly because you knew I had a connection with them." Which is something I need to figure out. "You said you need my help. That means you either want someone found or dead. So why are you here?"

Haylen frowned at me. "If I went to any random settlement, the Brotherhood would have found me eventually."

I cocked my head. "You still came looking for me."

"Yes… I did." She took a deep breath. "I need your help finding Danse. I need to find him before the Brotherhood does."

They hadn't killed him when they found out the Paladin, one of their highest-ranking members, is a Synth? How does that one work?

That question wasn't the most glaring.

"Why?"

The scribe shrugged. "Because Danse is the reason I've survived this long. He's the reason Rhys is alive. Because-" Her voice caught and she paused to clear her throat. "Because he would do the same for me."

Loyalty? That's why she abandoned the Brotherhood?

No, that was the catalyst.

"How long ago was this?"

"Two weeks."

"And you know he's still alive?"

She nodded. "He left before anyone could apprehend or attack him."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"We were in the Commonwealth for over a month before the Prydwen arrived. He knows how to survive."

You lost most of your squad. That wouldn't be useful to mention.

So she lost faith in the Brotherhood and left after realizing Maxson is a narcissistic cult leader hell-bent on tearing apart the Commonwealth to destroy the Institute, consequences be damned. Well, I did suggest that's what the man was here to do, it only took her two more months to realize it.

Now all she has left is her loyalty to Danse who, despite him being a Synth, is the person she trusts the most. That's where her "what's the point of fighting for the 'good of the people' when we hate people just because of what they are?" comment comes in.

I guess the universe decided to give me a break for once. Not only did it drop Haylen into my lap, but she may be able to give me Danse too. More than that though, it gave me an opportunity.

"I'll consider it, but I need everything you know about the Brotherhood. And I want Julian back."

Haylen nodded. "I figured you'd want at least that. I can't get Julian out, but I know where he is and- and I know what the Brotherhood has been doing with him."

The soft thud in my chest as my heart felt like it bounced off of a rib made me wince. I didn't need her to affirm what I already knew they'd be doing to the kid. I need to focus on the mission, not the image of what my failure caused.

I nodded in return. "I want that before I agree to anything."

"They have him at the airport. He's an initiate now. There's a training and sleeping facility for the initiates in two of the hangars on the northeast side of the runways."

Yeah, that's a visual I didn't need. Julian couldn't have been more than eight, and they're training him to be a fighter. A killer. That's how you get the best soldiers…

"You're going to help me get him out."

Haylen's eyes went wide. "How am I supposed to do that? They know I went AWOL, they probably know what I'm thinking. I can't go back they'll-"

"You're going to help me get him out", I repeated. This isn't a topic of discussion, this is something she will agree to if she wants my help. The defeated expression on her face said she knew that.

"Okay- I- I'll help but it won't be easy."

Hitting caravans and small outposts is useful in a war, but this one is personal. I still haven't gotten payback on them for the ambush. "I'm hoping it isn't."

Her expression grew worried. "You also said you want to know everything I do about the Brotherhood."

"Yes."

"That's- I don't know if I can give you that. There are still so many good people who just want to do the right thing like I did. If you kill them then- then that means I helped you kill them."

Preston cleared his throat. "Look Haylen, the Brotherhood is coming after us, and Damon is going to help us with them. They're already at war with the Institute. No matter what happens, a lot of people are going to die. The better prepared we are to fight them, the fewer of our people die."

She shook her head. "That doesn't mean I don't want to protect some of the people still under the Brotherhood's influence. Many of them are my friends. I can't just consign them to death because Maxson wants to ruin everything our chapter used to stand for." By the end of her short tirade, her voice had gained some life once again. There was fire behind her words that, despite her small frame, convinced me she'd fight either of us over her conviction.

I can't torture her, that would mean I was forfeiting her help with getting Julian out. There had to be another way to get the information from her. Perkins is probably the best person for the job. Maybe Valentine too; he's a Synth, one that's been around the block. Maybe seeing one that can live with people peacefully will help convince her even more that Maxson's just a megalomaniacal lunatic.

There is one other question I need answered.

"How did you know to come here looking for me? Does the Brotherhood know I have a connection with this place?"

Haylen shook her head again. "No, that's something I figured out on my own."

"How?"

She shrugged. "I spent a lot of time in Diamond City after…" she frowned.

"After the ambush."

"Yes. Ran across someone who knows Nick Valentine and Ellie Perkins. They knew you were with them, and they knew the two of them came up here all of a sudden after you met us. Didn't take a genius to put two and two together."

Valentine told someone where he was going? I shook my head. That damn detective should know better.

"Who?"

"A woman named Piper Wright."

My mind stopped for a moment as it replayed the answer, making sure it hadn't received the wrong message. It didn't. He told Piper.

For her part though, it was a reasonable explanation. I can confirm that by talking with Valentine about his… lack of information security.

This all seems too good to be true: Haylen comes here specifically looking for me to help find Danse, knows where Julian is, and even though she hasn't yet, can give us intel on the Brotherhood. Part of me didn't want to believe something so convenient could happen. A much larger part did though. It would be my best chance to get Julian back, and a significant amount of intel on the Brotherhood. Nothing she said seems unreasonable, but I'm not the best person to judge that.

"I'll think about it", I said, "but you should reconsider giving us information about the Brotherhood."

Haylen nodded but otherwise didn't respond. She was still pale and, despite regaining some of the fire I'd seen in her when I was with the Brotherhood, seemed shaken. Questioning everything you've come to believe in tends to do that.

With the conversation drawing to an end, I turned to leave. Preston followed me into the now dimming evening.

"What are you thinking", the Minuteman asked as he swung the door shut behind him. Valentine and MacCready were marching toward us from the main common.

"Not sure, her story sounds reasonable."

"There's a history between you two?"

I shrugged. "Not really, but she's one of the few people in the Brotherhood I don't mind."

Preston cocked an eyebrow. "Wow, high praise. So who's Danse?"

"One of their highest rank soldiers. He was in command of the forward recon team they sent. Nate and I ran into them in Cambridge on our first trip to Diamond City."

"Ran into", the dark-skinned man said with a snort. "Anyone end up dead?"

"Almost."

"Impressive restraint. Her coming here on her own makes no sense, she isn't a big wig is she?" I shook my head. "Then it wouldn't make sense for her to be a negotiator. And no soldiers with her… Unless this is some sort of slow game, I can't imagine the Brotherhood is using her to infiltrate us. Right?"

She knew I was associated with the settlement, it could be a play for information, but then the last thing an intelligent commander like Maxson would do is send someone I know.

"Too many unknowns", I replied as Valentine and MacCready stopped beside us. I turned to the detective. "Who did you tell you were coming here?"

The detective blinked. "Who did I tell?"

"In Diamond City."

"Oh…" The grimace said he'd at least told someone, so Haylen hadn't been lying.

"That… I- I told Piper. She and I have been tight for a while, she agreed to take care of the office while I was gone but… you know how she can be…"

I cocked my head at him. "The one person you told was the goddamn reporter."

Valentine's grimace deepened. "Yeah, yeah, it was a dumb move, I got that."

"Alright", I said, exhaling slowly. "I want you and Perkins to talk with her. She doesn't want to give up anything on the Brotherhood, but we need her to."

The Synth nodded. "Can do, but I think tomorrow would be a better time to do it."

"Agreed."

"You aren't going to torture her?" MacCready asked. His voice was deadened enough, I couldn't tell if he was being serious, or that was a stab.

"I need her cooperation on something."

"Uh-huh." He didn't look convinced. "And what does she want?"

"She wants my help finding her old CO. Apparently, he's a Synth. I'm going to do it, having access to their knowledge is too good to pass on. There are a few things we need to handle first."

Strange thing about this is I don't know what possibility I'm more interested in: gaining inside knowledge of the Brotherhood or getting Julian back.

I glanced back in the direction of the house.

Yeah... I'm not sure.

A/N: Very interesting chapter to write and, oddly enough, it was in retrospect I didn't like it. The exploration going on in the story just didn't lend itself well to how I'd written this originally. On top of that there is A LOT of action coming down the pipeline (with good reason, but I'm not going to spoil anything) and I felt like a bit of balance was needed. Now, that isn't why I wrote this chapter the way I did but it's a contributing factor. But you don't get to learn about that until later. I'll see everyone next time!

Next chapter: 7/8, Promises