War Party

Note: Hey guys, I am sooooo sorry this has taken so long, but life kinda kicked me in the balls recently. I'll feel I can tell all of you because some of you have been with me for years...and it helps to talk about.

Two months ago my wife and I of almost 20 years were seperated. I won't go into any details, but it has been rough. For the first month I didn't even want to get out of bed. I had no motivation for anything, even things I love. (like writing fanfiction). For a while I was a lot like Marcus when he'd lost Amata. I was sitting around crying while listening to Frank Sinatra and Jonny Cash. Don't worry, I never had my gun on the table, and I never had thoughts of hijacking a weapon satellite and committing mass murder. But, things are begining to get better, and I decided that writing actually helps me to keep my mind off things. The wife and I are keeping things civil...we've even gotten together a few times, trying to fix things. It's weird but, it's almost like we're...dating again?

Anyway, I just wanted you guys to know that it's been tough, but I am getting through it. I don't want you guys to read my story because you feel sorry for me, and please don't stop with the honest reviews. If you don't like something in the story, feel free to let me know.

On a happy note, I noticed that my first story is now the third most followed Fallout story on Fanfiction, even though I finished it months ago. Thank you all; that kind of support is what I need right now.

Now, enough of that, on with the story...

Marcus stood frozen on the spot as the gravity of Joshua's revelation began to sink in. His right hand unconsciously inched closer to his sidearm, but stopped short of actually touching it. Joshua studied the Lone Wanderer, and patiently waited for a response.

"You're," Marcus struggled to speak, "you're the one who Caesar had set on fire and tossed into the Grand Canyon."

Joshua nodded his head.

A bitter chuckle escaped from Marcus. "I can't believe I didn't make the connection."

"I wouldn't expect a stranger from the east coast to do so."

"How did you survive?"

Joshua closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to quell the painful memory. "I didn't. Malpais Legate died that day, and I was reborn as Joshua Graham. I once was lost, but now I am found. I was blind, but now I see."

Marcus suddenly noticed a lump forming in his throat, as his body began to relax. Joshua's awakening and redemption sounded eerily similar to the one he experienced at Point Lookout years ago. "Does Caesar know you're alive?"

"Yes – though he would never admit it to his followers. They believe that Caesar is a god, and if the rank and file realizes I am alive, his infallibility will be questioned. Despite his best efforts to keep it a secret, rumors of the dreaded "Burned Man" continue to make their way through the Legion's camps."

"So this is not just about securing another route into the Mojave….this is also about you!"

Joshua crossed his arms. "Caesar wants this valley whether I am here or not… though the fact that I am here no doubt has given him added motivation." Joshua uncrossed his arms and stepped closer. "If you wish to defeat the Legion, I can give you the knowledge and skills necessary to do it. All I ask is that you help me to convince Daniel to allow the Sorrows to join the fight. I believe, now more than ever, that God has sent you here for this purpose. You know his word and his works….is it not within the realm of possibility?"

Marcus took his eyes off Joshua and stared out at the moon lite river as he pondered his words. It was no secret that during his years of wandering the Capital Wasteland Marcus felt as if there was some….force compelling his actions, and there was little doubt in his mind that this same force had been watching out for him. Since his arrival in Zion, Marcus had experienced the same feeling, as if he had been….drawn to this place. The fact that Joshua was once Caesar's right hand, though troubling, also left little doubt that there was no love lost between the two men considering what Caesar had done to him. It did however bring in to question, (now more than ever) what Joshua's true motives really were. Still, just as Elder Lyons and the Brotherhood had given Marcus a second chance after Point Lookout, so too would he give "The Burned Man" a chance. "Since I arrived here," Marcus began, "I've been having these….dreams. I'm being chanced by a man wearing golden armor on a horse. In his hand is a large golden sword, and he's wearing a mask…."

"With two horns protruding from the sides." Joshua finished the sentence for him.

Marcus turned with his mouth gaped open. "How did you…."

"The man you are describing is named Lanius; Caesar's new Legate….and if you are not ready to face him, then you will surely die."

Marcus crossed his arms. "Not to toot by own horn, but I've beaten more than my share of deadly enemies."

"I have no doubt." Joshua deadpanned. "Regardless, you have never faced an enemy like him. He is known as the Monster of the East, but before that he was the champion of a tribe called the Hidebarks. They opposed Caesar's Legion, and fought a bloody guerrilla war against us for many years. Lanius was so skill full and brutal he would often ambush Legion patrols by himself, and kill them to the last man. Eventually the Hidebarks were cornered, and when the elders decided to surrender, Lanius went mad with rage and killed his own leaders before being subdued.

"When he awoke, his face had been disfigured during the battle, and Caesar offered him the mask of the God of Mars and an offer to serve him. Lanius agreed, but only after Caesar allowed him to kill six of his surviving tribe."

The Lone Wanderer did not show any fear, but he was definitely intrigued. "Why did he turn on his own people?"

"To Lanius, dishonor on the field of battle is unforgivable. Just as the Roman generals of old, he would rather die than live with the disgrace of defeat." Joshua paused for a moment. "I am the only one who has faced him a lived to tell the tale."

Marcus's eyebrow went up. "You fought him?"

Joshua nodded. "He challenged me for the position of Legate, so we fought in the arena. The fight was brutal….I pushed myself harder than at any other time in my life. Finally, after nine rounds, Caesar stopped the fight and it was deemed a draw. I retained the title of Legate, but Lanius saw it as a personnel insult." Joshua stared down at the bandages on his right hand. "Which is why he was all too egger to strike the match." Joshua looked up at Marcus. "Agree to help us in the fight against the White Legs, and I will teach you how to defeat Lanius in combat. What say you?"

Though he hesitated for a moment, Marcus eventually held out his hand. "We will help you."

Joshua took it, and the two men shook on it. "You are a good neighbor. Tomorrow you will go to the Sorrows' Camp and speak with Daniel. After that, we will begin your training."

At dawn Marcus, Sarah and Dogmeat made their way to the Sorrows' camp, and it didn't take them long to find Daniel. He was sitting near a campfire surrounded by tribals as he read from the Holy Scripture. Marcus took a moment to study the missionary. He was wearing a black plaid flannel shirt, jeans and a large brimmed black hat. The rifle strapped to his back resembled the kind of submachine guns Marcus had seen in old World War II movies. The companions patiently waited for Daniel to finish reading from the sacred book, and once the tribals were dismissed, they approached the missionary.

"The Dead Horses told me details about the attack on your party. A stranger's sympathy may not count for much, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry. The Sorrows will mourn them, too. They mourn everyone….even the White Legs."

Daniel's declaration caught them by surprise, especially Sarah. "Why would they mourn people who are trying to kill them and take their land?"

"They have sensitive souls. Innocent….if there is such a thing anymore."

Marcus shook the man's hand. "I'm Marcus Lincoln, and this is Sarah Lyons. We're from the Eastern Chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel."

Daniel crossed his arms and looked at the pair with suspicion. "Well….if you're here looking for technology, I'm afraid you'll be very disappointed."

Marcus shook his head. "Actually, we want to help you and the Sorrows to defeat the White Legs."

A low groan escaped from the missionary. "I see you've been talking with Joshua." He let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, I appreciate that you want to help….it's comforting to know that not all members of the Brotherhood put technology above their fellow man. But going to war against the White Legs is not the answer. Our only chance of helping the Sorrows is to evacuate the valley."

"Why are you so quick to just have them abandon their home?" Marcus asked.

Daniel motioned over towards a group of tribals. "Look at them. Have you stopped to think what will happen to their culture if they are exposed to the horrors of war? Don't miss understand me, I will kill any White Legs that sneak into this camp….but I will not allow the Sorrows to draw first blood. It's one thing to defend yourself, it is another to attack your enemy."

"Sometimes the best defense, is a good offense." Sarah said.

Daniel scoffed at her. "Spoken like a true soldier. But he who lives by the sword, will die by the sword."

Marcus was about to speak when Daniel raised his hand to cut him off. "I'm sorry, but I've said all I wish to say on the subject. You're more then welcome to stay here in the camp. If you are serious about helping these people, come and see me and I will tell you what we'll need when the time comes to evacuate." The missionary turned his back and walked away.

"Well," Sarah began, clearly annoyed, "that was a waste of time. I don't understand how two men who belong to the same religion can have such different points of view. One is a pacifist, and the other wants to wage a holy war."

Marcus shurgged. "It's not always black and white. A lot of it is open to interpitation."

"Do not be too hard on Daniel." The voice belonged to Waking Cloud, and she was standing behind the couple with a male tribal. "He is wise in the knowledge of the Father's tongue, and cares deeply about our people."

"Do you agree with Daniel?" Marcus asked.

Waking Cloud nodded. "Daniel knows what is best for us."

Marcus continued to press. "No I'm asking you what you think, Waking Cloud. Do you want to evacuate Zion?"

Waking Cloud turned to the man standing next to her, and he carfully placed his arm around her. "It is true that I do not want more killing...but..." she let the sentence trail off.

"Zion has been our home for so long." The man continued for her. "Most of us will follow Daniel...but there are those who would prefer to stand and fight."

Waking Cloud smiled and placed her hand on the man's chest. "Forgive me, I have been rude. This is my husband Standing Bear, he is one of the hunters who helped to evacuate the young, sick and old."

Marcus nodded. "It's nice to meet you. Is there anything we can do to change Daniel's mind?"

Standing Bear shook his head. "I do not think so. He and Joshua have had many words on this, and all of them end with both men walking away angry. Maybe you should talk to him later."

Marcus sighed in defeat and looked to Sarah. "We're probably not going to get anything done here. For now I think we should go back to the Dead Horses camp. Joshua said he has some training for me."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Well then why don't I head back towards the crashsite and pick up the rest of our gear. I can meet you and Dogmeat back at the camp afterwards."

"My husband and I will accompany you - along with some of our hunters."

Marcus thanked them both. He was relieved that Sarah was not going to be alone, and that he was finally going to get the rest of his gear. All he had at the moment was he fatigues, desert eagle, his guantlet, and Lucy. Both sets of armor, his guass rifle and grenade launcher were still hidden near the crashsite. "Okay - but you be carefull. Communications may not work in these canyons, so if you get into trouble, fire a few plasma rounds into the air."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Yes, mother!"

Marcus gently grabed her hand and pulled her towards him. "Are you saying I worry too much?"

Sarah grinned. "Please. If you had it your way I'd never get out of my power armor."

Marcus' left eyebrow went up. "Well...not always."

The inuendo was not lost on the Sentinel, and the two lovers shared a quick kiss. "I'll see you soon." She breathed.

"You'd better."

As they parted ways, niether of them noticed the two White Legs scouts on the cliffs above slink away.

Joshua emerged from Angel Cave, holding two short swords with a slight curve in them, and approached the Lone Wanderer. "This is the machete gladius. It is the main melee weapon of the Legion." He handed one of them to Marcus. "Do not let the size of this weapon fool you. As you can see, it is well balanced, and up close it is deadly in skilled hands."

Marcus swung the gladius a few times trying to get a feel for the weapon. It was definitely lighter than swords he had fought with in the past. Joshua raised his gladius in a fighting stance. "Guard up."

Marcus complied, and Joshua came in with a series of attacks, which Marcus easily parried, and responded with his own.

"Impressive." Joshua commented before attacking again with slightly more force. Again, Marcus parried and avoids the attacks.

"Your style resembles that of a gladiator."

For a moment, Marcus' memories of fighting in the Pitt flashed into his mind, causing him to stumble, but he quickly recovered. "I had a friend who...fought in arenas. She taught me what I needed to know."

Joshua wasn't buying it. "No...I believe you fought in the arena." He attacked again, so fast it nearly caught Marcus off guard. "You had to fight...and you had to kill!"

Marcus parried an attack, swung around with his gladius at the ready...but stopped when Joshua's blade appeared mere inches from his throat.

"You're off balance." Joshua said through labored breath. "If you are distracted for one second, or if Lanius detects any weakness, you will die."

Joshua stepped back, and this time, Marcus attacked and he briefly had Joshua on the defensive. Their swords clanged together, and both men tried to push the other off his feet. "I've...defeated monsters in the arena, Joshua!"

"I have no doubt." Joshua suddenly surged forward and pushed Marcus off him, and once again the Lone Wanderer was on the defensive. Frustrated, Marcus activated his VATS, determined to end the fight. He locked onto his target and moved in; expecting to knock Joshua on is back. Instead, the Burned Man ducked down, spun on his heel, and delivered a sweep kick to the back of Marcus' leg. The Lone Wanderer's feet were knocked out from under him, and he landed hard on his back. By the time he'd opened his eyes, Joshua was standing over him; his gladius inches from Marcus' head. "You must not let your frustration or passion blind you. It doesn't matter how many men or beasts you've killed, if you are not prepared to unlearn what you have learned, and except my teachings, Lanius will kill you."

Marcus just laid there trying to catch his breath; staring at the man who had not only bested him...but his VATS! Joshua brought the gladius to his side, and presented his other hand to Marcus. The Lone Wanderer accepted it, and was soon on his feet. "Alright. Then let's get started."

Sarah, Waking Cloud, Standing Bear and five of the Sorrows hunters were approaching the spot where Sarah had stashed their equipment after their crash landing. Even though they had been in the valley for two days, Sarah still could not get over the beauty of the place. Her sense of awe was not lost on Waking Cloud, who made her way alongside the Sentinel. "Zion is truly beautiful, yes?"

Sarah smiled as she admired the view. "Yes - it is a very beautiful place. A place worth fighting for."

Waking Cloud hung her head. "Yes...but Daniel has spoken...and he knows what is best."

Sarah did her best to stifle her sigh. "I know Daniel is doing what he thinks is best...but when my home was threatened we didn't run. We stayed and we fought for it."

"And how many of your people died in that fight?" Waking Cloud asked.

Now it was Sarah who hung her head. "Too many."

Neither woman had any desire to continue the conversation, and so they continued forward in silence. It wasn't long before they came across one of the massive logs used by the tribals to hide goods. "Is this the one?" Standing Bear asked.

Sarah took a look around, trying to remember. "I...think so. Guess there's only one way to find out." She had barely placed her hand on the log when a gun shot rang out, followed by a scream. Sarah spun around, and saw one of the Sorrows hunters lying on the ground; the side of his head blown away. "SCATTER!" Sarah screamed as she jumped over the log and took cover.

Gunfire now seemed to be coming from multiple directions. Standing Bear practically pushed his wife down into the brush, and readied his bow. Another of the Sorrows hunters was gunned down before the remaining three took cover with Sarah behind the log. Sarah readied her guass rifle, and spotted three White Legs perched on the rocks above them to their right, while over a dozen of the warriors were charging at them from the front. Sarah looked into the eyes of the three tribals with her. They were young, scared, and didn't know what to do.

"You three shoot at that group, I'll take care of the snipers!" To prove her point, she took aim with her guass rifle and fired a single round, taking off the head of one of the White Legs. The Sorrows stared at her in awe. "SHOOT THE DAMN GUNS!"

Shaken out of their trance, the three hunters opened fire with their repeating rifles, and two of the charging White Legs fell. Standing Bear took aim with his bow and released an arrow, killing another.

Sarah popped up and managed to take out another sniper, but not before taking several rounds, weakening her power armor's shield. As she waited for them to recharge, Sarah spoke into her ear piece. "Marcus are you there? Marcus come in!"

Static was all she heard, and Sarah cursed the mountains that were blocking her signal. She quickly drew her plasma pistol and fired several shots into the air. "Please see this, Marcus."

Dogmeat's sudden frantic barking caused Marcus to break off from his training with Joshua. "What's the matter boy? What is it?" He looked into the direction the canine was staring at - and his heart skipped a beat as he spotted a stream of green plasma fire off in the distance. "It's Sarah! They're in trouble!" Marcus took off running with Dogmeat and Joshua right on his heels. Follows-Chalk spotted the three companions, and the young scout grabbed is rifle and took off after them.

"Moira can you get a fix on her?"

"I'll try, but it will be difficult without communications..."

"Just keep trying!"

Sarah managed to take out the last sniper, but felt something wet splatter across her face. One of the young hunters standing next to her had his head blown to pieces by a .45 caliber round. They had taken out several of the White Legs, but they continued to press their attack. All Sarah could do was hold out until Marcus arrived...assuming he saw her distress signal at all.

Standing Bear and Waking Cloud managed to make their way over to her and took cover. "They are attempting to circle around us!" Standing Bear said.

Sarah gritted her teeth as she loaded her guass rifle. There was only one thing left to do. "You three make a run for it. I'll cover you."

Waking Cloud's eyes shot wide open. "No! We will not leave you..."

"I can hold out longer than you. Get back to camp, find Marcus and get help."

Tears began to well up in Waking Clouds eyes. "We can't..."

The roar of a submachine gun caused them all to duck down, and a full burst of .45 caliber rounds slammed into what was left of the log.

"GO, DAMN IT!" Sarah yelled as she returned fire.

Before Waking Cloud could protest any longer, Standing Bear pulled his distraught wife to her feet and turned to run...then he stopped dead in his tracks and pushed her back to the ground. A second later the three White Legs that were now behind them unleashed a barrage of submachine gun fire, and Waking Cloud watched as her husband and the remaining hunter were cut down. "NOOOOOOOO!"

Her scream caused Sarah to turn around, and she quickly took aim at the new threat. She was about to pull the trigger, when one of the White Legs fired a strange looking pistol that fired a blue beam. Suddenly the electronics in Sarah's power armor began going haywire, and the Sentinel found she couldn't move. The remaining White Legs took full advantage of this, and soon both Sarah and the distraught Waking Cloud found themselves surrounded by fifteen warriors, all of whom had their guns trained on them.

A few seconds later, the electronics in Sarah's armor rebooted, and she was able to move once again, but it was too late. She knew her shields would not stand up to a full burst from multiple machine guns, especially at this range. The one with the energy weapon stepped forward, and began yelling at her in his language. It didn't take a translator for Sarah to understand he wanted her to surrender, and reluctantly, the Sentinel dropped her guass rifle and raised her hands.

Waking Cloud remained on the ground, cradling her dead husband in her arms and weeping uncontrollably. One of the White Legs grabbed the young woman and tried to pry her from her husband.

"LEAVE HER ALONE..." Sarah screamed, but was hit in the back of her head with the butt of a rifle, sending her to her knees. Two White Legs roughly grabbed her and tried to bring her to her feet...and both of them had their heads taken off by a .50 caliber bullet. Three more shots rang out, and three more White Legs were sent into the next world.

Marcus charged towards the remaining White Legs, his desert eagle in one hand, and his gladius in the other. One of them took aim at the Lone Wanderer, but was cut down by a single shot from Joshua's .45 pistol. Another White Leg was cut down by Follows-Chalk, and Sarah delivered a vicious right hook to one of the tribals, breaking his jaw.

Waking Cloud, her eyes filled with tears and rage, knocked one of the White Legs' guns away and shoved her yao guai claw gauntlet into his stomach, gutting him. The remaining White Legs turned and ran for their lives, but not before Sarah managed to pick up one of their submachine guns and cut down three more of them. Dogmeat ran past her and managed to tackle the White Leg armed with the energy weapon to the ground. After a futile struggle, the apparent leader of the war party laid on the ground frozen as the canine stood on his chest, growling and snarling.

Marcus immediately ran over to Sarah and looked her over. There was dried blood on her head and face. "Are you alright?"

Sarah felt the back of her head where she'd been struck. "I'm okay - it's already healed." She began whipping the dried blood off her face, and her voice was barely above a whisper. "It's not mine."

Marcus took a look at the carnage around them, and his eyes fell on Waking Cloud, kneeling on the ground and still cradling her dead husband in her arms. His heart broke for the woman, as he too, knew exactly what she was going through.

"Marcus," Sarah said, knocking him out of his thought, "one of them had an energy weapon. It caused my suit to freeze up on me for a few seconds. I couldn't move, I couldn't do anything until the systems rebooted."

Marcus couldn't hide the concern on his face if he tried. "Its sounds like the same kind of pulse pistol that Zimmer used on Harkness. His systems went haywire and it was about ninety seconds before he was able to reboot."

"But our suits are insulated against pulse weapons, but this one even took down my shields."

As the two lovers discussed the strange weapon, Joshua Graham calmly approached the remaining White Leg being held by Dogmeat. He reached down and picked up the energy weapon, and began yelling at the tribal in their native language. Marcus and Sarah watched the interrogation unfold. The White Leg finally yelled a reply, and Joshua responded by shooting him in the head.

No one said a word as Joshua walked over to the two lovers with the energy weapon in his hand. He could tell by the look in their eyes they did not approve of what he had done, but he decided to move past it and handed the weapon to Marcus. "A gift...for the Brotherhood of Steel."

Marcus took the weapon. "What did he tell you?"

Joshua could hear the contempt in Marcus' voice. "I asked him where he'd gotten it, and he responded with one word: Caesar."

"I thought the Legion didn't believe in technology." Marcus said.

A bitter chuckle escaped from Joshua. "You've heard the expression, do as I say, not as I do? Caesar is a prime example of that. While his followers live in the nineteenth century, he will use anything to get what he wants. And apparently, what he wants is you, Sentinel."

Sarah's eyes shot wide. "Me! What does he want with me?"

"I'm not sure. It might be simple curiosity, or something more...intimate."

Marcus tightened his grip on the energy weapon. "Well...that's not going to happen!" He growled.

Sarah examined the weapon in his hand. "It doesn't look like any pulse pistol I've ever seen."

Marcus agreed. "I'll have Moira check her Vault-Tec files for any information, but for now...we have to help these people."

The sound of several footsteps approaching got their attention, and they turned to see Daniel and several of the Sorrows running towards them; their weapons at the ready. When they arrived on the scene, they froze as they viewed the carnage. Many of the tribals were overwhelmed and began to weep. A few were so sickened they threw up. Daniel lowered his gun and did his best to hold it together, but there was no mistaking the look of horror and sadness on the missionary's face. "Mother of God!" He muttered. His eyes fell on Waking Cloud, and then they fell on Joshua. "I'm grateful that you saved her."

"I regret we couldn't save more, my friend."

Marcus handed the energy weapon to Sarah and approached him. "I'm sorry, Daniel. Is this not proof that the Sorrows have to fight back?"

Daniel's expression immediately turned from sorrow to anger. "All I see is more proof that we have to leave!"

Sarah approached, her frustration clearly effident on her face. "And what then? What will you do if the White Legs or another tribe of raiders attacks the Sorrows? Are you going to run away again? At some point, you have to take a stand!"

Daniel waved his hand. "Look at this! You want me to subject these people to this?! No! I won't have it! We will evacuate Zion as we have planned..."

"NO!"

The voice came from Waking Cloud. Daniel watched as she slowly stood up and faced him. The front of her cloths were covered with blood, and there was no missing the fresh blood dripping from her gauntlet. "We will not leave! We will fight!"

Daniel's jaw dropped. "Waking Cloud...I know you are grieving right now but..."

"NO!" She stormed towards him. "I will not listen! The White Legs attacked our camps, killed our people, and now they want to take our lands." She turned and addressed the rest of the tribals. "You all remember the stories of our ancestors. When others came and tried to take the land, the Father in the Caves destroyed them. He protected our ancestors, and he left this land to them. Now the Father has not been seen for a long time, but he left us this land, and we must fight for it, just as he fought for our people so long ago."

Daniel cautiously approached her, and he could see the rage in her eyes. "Waking Cloud I know you are hurting, but the Lord says..."

"No more words, Daniel!" She raised her blood stained gauntlet. "We will fight! And we will KILL THE WHITE LEGS!"

The other Sorrows present raised their own weapons and began to cheer; calling for blood. Even Follows-Chalk added his battle cry to theirs. As he watched the spectacle, Daniel's heart was in the pit of his stomach. His worst fears had come to pass.

Joshua slowly approached his friend, and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Daniel, you knew it would come to this."

Daniel hung his head; he was on the brink of tears. "I know. I tried to convince myself that..." He let the sentence trail off.

Joshua removed is hand. "For what it's worth, I'm..."

"Don't say it!" Daniel snapped. "Don't, Joshua. You have your war now. I just hope you can live with it. Now if you'll excuse me...I have to prepare the dead for burial." He turned and walked away.

"I'll help you, my friend." Joshua called after him.

Daniel stopped, and for a moment he was tempted to tell Joshua to go to hell. Instead, he glanced over his right shoulder. "I'd like that."

That night Joshua and Daniel read the burial rites over the bodies of the Sorrows who had been killed. They were each wrapped in a shroud, and placed on top of a funeral pyre. After the prayers had been said, one by one the pyres were lit, and everyone stood in silence as the fire consumed the dead.

Both Marcus and Sarah attended the ceremony, and when it was completed, they approached Waking Cloud, who was still standing near Standing Bear's burning pyre.

Marcus took a deep breath. "Waking Cloud, we just wanted to say how sorry we are for your loss. Standing Bear was...a good man."

Tears streamed down Waking Cloud's face as she continued to watch the fire. "Yes. He was. And he was a good father to our children." She turned and faced them. Sarah looked to be on the brink of tears. "I wish I could've...I wish there was something I could've done..."

Waking Cloud shook her head, and placed her hand on Sarah's arm. "No, it is not your fault. It was the White Legs...and they will pay for what they have done." She whipped her tears away. "You will help us, yes?"

"We will." Marcus responded, determination in his voice.

Waking Cloud smiled. "Good, because the people have been talking, and we want both of you to join our tribe. You are both great warriors, sent here by the Father in the Cave. We would be honored if you joined us."

For a moment, Marcus and Sarah shared a wary look...but given what had happened today, they felt it would be an insult to say no. "The honor is ours, Waking Cloud." Marcus said.

For the first time since her husband's death, Waking Cloud had a look of joy in her eyes. "Good. Go and see White Bird; he will show you the rite of passage. The next time I see you, we will be family." She hugged them both, and headed back into the camp. Marcus and Sarah each took a deep breath and made their way into the shaman's cave; not sure of what to expect.

The shaman was sitting near a small fire inside the cave's main chamber. When the two lovers and Dogmeat approached, he turned to them and began to speak. "Ole, outsiders. Welcome child of omens. You come to receive visions of truth?"

Marcus cocked his head to the side. "What?"

White Bird sighed. "Take drugs. Kill a bear!"

Now Marcus and Sarah stared at him as if he had two heads. White Bird asked them to sit down near the fire, and the two lovers complied. As the shaman began to mix a strange looking potion in a bowl, Sarah leaned closer to Marcus. "What the hell are we doing here?" She whispered.

Marcus responded with a shrug, and the shaman began chanting in his language. After a few minutes, the potion was ready and the chanting had stopped. "Sacred Datura root will give you visions of truth."

A chill ran up Marcus' spine as he remembered the last time he had been drugged. "What do you mean, 'visions of truth'? What will we see?"

White Bird shrugged. "Who knows. Some people see a vision of the past, others the future. Some don't see anything at all. Either way, you will be tripp'in balls man, ha, ha, ha!" He presented the bowl to Marcus, who hesitated before finally taking it in his hands. He placed the bowl to his lips and gulped down a mouthful of the brown liquid. It tasted bitter, but it wasn't an overpowering taste. The shaman then presented it to Sarah, and a sigh escaped from the Sentinel before she reluctantly took a drink.

"Close eyes." White Bird instructed. "Let the visions flow. Do not fight them."

Both Sarah and Marcus took a deep breath and closed their eyes. Marcus waited for the effects to begin. Seconds turned into minutes, but nothing was happening. Finally, out of frustration, he opened his eyes. "It's not working..."

He froze as he realized he was completely alone in the cave. The fire was still lite, but Sarah, White Bird and Dogmeat were gone. Marcus jumped up and frantically called out. "Sarah! Dogmeat! SARAH!"

There was no answer, only an eerie silence. Marcus happened to glance down - and noticed that he was no longer wearing his fatigues, but a set of power armor. Black power armor. "What the hell." He looked up, and instead of the darkness of the cave, Marcus found himself standing in a large room, with a metal floor and walls to match. Suddenly, an older man wearing green combat armor, armed with a combat shotgun came running towards him. "GET DOWN!" He yelled before tackling him to the ground.

Marcus landed on his back, just as a plasma round hit the wall behind him. The Lone Wanderer got a good look at his rescuer. The man has several scares on his face, was missing one eye, and had a metal plate on one side of his head.

"Damn it, Max! You almost lost your goddamn head!"

Max. The man called him Max. Was this...was this a vision of the future...and it involved his son?

"Hey, if you two are done making out, there's another wave coming!"

The voice came from another man standing to his right. He was dressed in what looked like desert fatigues, a large brimmed hat with sunglasses, and was armed with a guass rifle.

The older man grunted as he stood up. "Can it, Boone!" He handed a plasma rifle to Marcus. "Find some cover, because here they come!"

Marcus quickly did as he was told, and took cover with the sniper named Boone behind a piece of machinery. He took a moment to look at the other people around him. In addition to Boone and the older, scared man, was a young woman dressed in leather armor with purple hair, armed with a submachine gun to his left, and on the far right side of the room he spotted another young woman with blonde hair wearing power armor. At first he thought it was Sarah, but he soon realized it was a woman he had never seen before.

Gunfire erupted from the large doorway to the front of the room, and Marcus took aim with his rifle. A second later the enemy came into view - and the sight of them made his blood run cold. There was no mistaking the black power armor, or the large E inside a circle of stars emblazed on the chest plates.

'Enclave soldiers! That's impossible'

Impossible or not, they were here...and more importantly, they were trying to kill him and his companions. Marcus' old hatred and instincts kicked in and he fired a full burst from his plasma rifle, turning one of the troopers to goo.

"Yeah! Great shot kid!" The scared man yelled as he opened fire with his shotgun, blowing off the arm of another trooper.

Marcus took aim again and tried to activate his VATS, but nothing happened. He looked down at his PIPBOY - and realized it wasn't his PIPBOY 3000, but an original 2000 model that he had growing up in the Vault.

'What the hell is happening?'

The fire fight was intense, and more than once it looked as though they were about to get overrun, but just like his companions from the Capital, this group worked together as well-oiled machine. Each time the Enclave soldiers charged in, they were beaten back. Then, on what was probably the trooper's fifth charge, the sound of a minigun roared from outside the room, and the troopers were cut down from behind. Silence filled the once chaotic room, and through the smoke a large super mutant, holding a minigun, stepped inside.

The other companions lowered their weapons, and Marcus did the same.

"Bout time you showed up!" The girl with purple hair said.

The mutant shot her a sideways glance. "The evacuation took longer than expected."

"Did everyone make it off?" The blonde girl asked.

The mutant nodded. "Yes. All of the vaultees and tribals are safe. Now it is time for us to get out of here."

"I heard that." Boone said. "Cassidy and I will cover the door." He pointed to the girl with purple hair. "Katja, get that back door open, asap!"

Katja responded with a mock salute. "Aye, aye, capiton!"

Marcus watched as Boone and the scared man, who apparently was named Cassidy, took up position by the large metal front door, while the girl Katja began working the controls on the room's back door. He was still trying to process what was happening, when the blonde haired girl spun him around and kissed him passionately. At first Marcus didn't know how to react, and after a few moments, the woman broke the kiss and stared at him. "What's wrong?"

Marcus struggled to find his voice. "I um...what was that for?"

The woman seemed taken aback by that. "Do I need a reason to kiss my husband?"

Marcus' jaw hit the floor. 'Husband?' "Um..." he forced a smile. "No, I guess not."

The woman smiled. "Don't you understand? We did it! Richardson's dead, the people from the Vault and Arroyo are safe, and once we're through that door we can finally start our new life together!"

'Richardson?' He'd heard that name from somewhere, but he couldn't think from where at the moment. Deciding to play along, Marcus smiled at the woman again. "That will be nice."

Their moment was shattered by the sound of plasma fire, followed by a scream. Marcus looked and saw Cassidy crumble to the ground.

Boone was filled with rage as he took aim with his guass rifle. "YOU BASTARDS!" He fired a round, taking out the sniper who had just mortally wounded his friend. More fire came through the doorway, and both Marcus and his "wife", pulled Cassidy out of the line of fire. The mutant quickly took his place, and fired a full burst from his mingun through the doorway.

Marcus quickly looked over Cassidy's wound, and it was clear the man wasn't going to make it.

"Katja, we need that door open now!"

Katja ducked down as a plasma bolt came dangerously close to her head. "It would help if I wasn't getting shot at, Miria!"

Marcus' wife, who apparently was named Miria, readied a laser rifle. "Stay with him!" Before Marcus could say anything, she joined Boone and the mutant and added her own fire to the Enclave troopers trying to storm inside.

Marcus held onto the dying man's hand, not sure of what to do. "I'm sorry." It was all he could say.

Cassidy struggled to speak. "That's...okay, kid. We had...we had a hell of a ride, didn't we." He began to couch up blood, and Cassidy yanked a chain off of his neck. "Take this...to my wife. Tell her...to give it to...our baby, Rose."

Marcus looked at the pendant, and his heart broke for this man who would never see his daughter grow up. "I...I can't..."

Cassidy gritted his teeth, and forced the pendant into Marcus' hand. "Take it! Promise me, Max! Promise me you'll...watch over them!"

Marcus looked into the dying man's eyes, and reluctantly nodded his head. "I promise."

John Cassidy took his last breath.

A large, mechanical noise got Marcus' attention, and he looked to see the door Katja had been working on begin to open. The young woman jumped in front of it and let out a shout of victory. "Alright bitches, we are outta here..."

She never saw it coming. One moment Katja was standing in triumph, and then her head was split wide open from a single blow from a massive super sledge. Time seemed to slow down as Katja's lifeless body crumbled to the ground. Amist the screams from his companions, Marcus saw the largest man he'd ever seen stroll through the door - only this wasn't a normal man. In fact, he looked to be more machine than a man. Marcus quickly got on his feet and readied his plasma rifle.

The man stood in the doorway, blocking their only escape. He pointed at Marcus with his massive weapon. "Now you die, son of Lincoln!"

Note: I realized I had forgotten the fact that Marcus and Sarah had Zetian translator nanites injected in the last story, so they should be able to understand the tribals. Sorry about that. So from now on, they will. I'll probably have to go back and make a few changes, but for right now I'm pushing forward. Yes, I ripped off Longmire with the name Standing Bear; it just seemed appropriate. Also, I know Katja is a companion from Fallout 1, but this is fanfiction so...I don't care. I also liked her character, and wished she was in 2.