Chaos in Zion

Note: I'm really sorry for the long wait, guys. Between computer problems and writer's block it's been a bitch. I hope this was worth the wait.

A mist the crackle of rifle fire, Sarah Lyons stood with her hands behind her back as she observed the Sorrows hunters in the training area. "Keep your head down unless you want to loose them!"

Daniel, who was standing next to her, yelled out the translation and the tribals quickly obeyed. Today's lesson was how to move and shoot as a squad, and as before, Sarah was impressed at how quickly the tribals learned. She regretted not having more time to train them, because many of them showed real potential. In fact, if they were back home she would try to recruit a few of them into the Brotherhood as Initiates.

During the five days she and Marcus had been initiated into the tribe, the Sorrows were not the only ones in training. Marcus spent most of his time with Joshua learning all he could on how to defeat the Legate, and Sarah was trying to learn how to speak basic battle commands in the tribal's language. While the translator nanites allowed her to understand them, they did not understand her, and in a combat situation a loss of communication could be fatal.

Sarah observed the tribals for a few more minutes, and then she turned to Daniel and nodded. The missionary responded by blowing into a large bighorn, signalling that the exercise was over. The hunters put their rifles on safe and gathered around.

"Not bad, not bad. Get some water and rest. We will begin again in thirty minutes."

The grateful tribals eagerly obeyed, and Sarah and Daniel made their way into the main part of the camp.

"So," Daniel began, "how are they doing?"

Sarah took a swig from her canteen. "They're showing progress….but I wish I had another five weeks to train them." She poured some water on her head and relished the cool feeling. "How our scouts reported any movement from the White Legs' camp?"

Daniel shook his head. "No, but we know they are conducting their rituals and sacrifices before battle. It will only be a matter of time before they attack."

"Alright, then we have to continue with our preparations. Once I'm finished with

the training we should head over to the Dead Horses camp and talk with Marcus and Joshua. In the meantime tell our scouts to be vigilant. We have to know the minute the White Legs begin their march."

"I will tell them."

Sarah nodded her head and they continued towards the camp. The sound of grunting and strikes got their attention, and they soon spotted Waking Cloud hitting a practice post with her yao guia gauntlet. As she observed the woman, Sarah could see that Waking Cloud had been training for hours. She was covered in sweat, and the young tribal was so fatigued the only things giving her strength were anger and hate. Sarah knew that feeling all too well. After losing the Pride at Vault 87 she pushed herself to the breaking point in a vain attempt to hide her pain.

"She has been like that for days." Daniel said, as if he were reading her mind. He was about to walk over to her, when Sarah gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Let her be. Trust me. This is something she's going to have to work out on her own."

Reluctantly the missionary agreed, and they left Waking Cloud to her training. It would be sunset before the young widow finally collapsed from exhaustion.

Sarah and Daniel made their way through the narrow pass leading to the Sorrows' camp. "And you're sure this is the only way into the camp?" Sarah asked.

"Yes."

"Good. That gives us the advantage. We'll place our traps and mines here….at the mouth of the pass."

Daniel couldn't help but cringe. "Are you sure these….devices that Marcus created will work?"

A slight smirk appeared on Sarah's face. "Trust me, between Marcus and Moira, I don't think there's anything those two couldn't build. They'll work." They continued heading down the pass until they had emerged into the rest of the valley. "That hill the tribals call Caterpillar Mound is where we'll make our stand." Sarah said as she pointed to the mound. "It gives us the high ground and good firing position. If we can hold the White Legs here, they'll never get close to the camp."

"Assuming the White Legs do attack here, we will still need help from the Dead Horses and Joshua. How will we get word to them in time?"

"Marcus and Moira have been working on that. They've been going around to all the abandoned Ranger stations in the valley and reactivating their radio towers."

Daniel's eyes lite up. "So those towers can be used to send our signals anywhere in the valley."

"Exactly. We'll be in constant radio communication the entire time. If the White Legs attack here, Joshua and Marcus will arrive with the calvary. If they attack the Dead Horses camp, we'll be able to send help."

Daniel seemed to feel slightly better, but the dread was still on his face. "I wish I had your confidence, Sentinel."

Sarah placed her hand on his arm. "Hey, we WILL win." She said with as much determination in her voice as she could muster. "I know you're worried about how the Sorrows will react to battle, and believe me, that's normal. They have those same doubts, but as their leader you must show them that YOU have confidence in them. Do that, and their training will take over when the fighting begins."

Daniel's eyes looked downward. "You've trained them well, Sentinel, and I am grateful to you. But it's not just the Sorrows conduct I'm worried about….it's Joshua's."

Sarah visibly tensed. "What do you mean?"

Daniel took a deep breath, clearly worried that he'd said too much….but it was too late now. "Don't get me wrong, Joshua cares about the people here….he'd die for anyone of them. But Joshua doesn't just want a war….he wants a slaughter! I can see it in his eyes. He wants retribution for what happened at New Canaan."

"But he promised Marcus that he wasn't looking for revenge."

A bitter chuckle escaped from Daniel. "That's what he says, and I'm sure part of him actually believes that….but I know Joshua. He's spent years trying to atone for his past and to become a better man, but the beast that he was is still inside of him - screaming to get out. I'm afraid that when the killing starts he's not going to be able to keep it contained, and he won't stop until every last White Leg is killed." Daniel leaned in closer and stared into her eyes. "You and Marcus are going to have to be prepared for that. He won't listen to me, but I'm hoping that maybe he'll listen to a fellow warrior."

Sarah couldn't stop the chill running up her spine at hearing Daniel's warning. Deep down she has suspected all along that Joshua had other motives for fighting the White Legs, but she had hoped that they were unwarranted.

Sometimes, she hated being right.

Marcus took a long drink from his canteen and whipped the sweat off his brow.

"You're getting better." Joshua Graham said as he returned his gladius to it's sheath. "Your strikes are more controlled, but you will have to move quicker."

Marcus responded with a nod and grunt as he sat down on a log. Though he was grateful for Joshua's teachings, there were times the Lone Wanderer felt he was too critical and would accept nothing less than perfection. 'That's your pride talking', he'd say to himself. This training was not about pride - it was about survival. "I heard the White Legs are preparing themselves for their attack."

Joshua nodded. "Yes. Our scouts report they have been having war dances and sacrificing to their heathen gods. It will only be a matter of days now."

"Then we should make sure our defenses are ready. I've finished repairs to the Ranger towers so we'll be able to stay in communication with Sarah and Daniel. We should focus on manufacturing as much ammunition as we can."

Joshua agreed. "Yes. The weapons and reloading benches you and Sarah returned with will prove invaluable."

Marcus took another drink from his canteen and stood up. The weapons, reloading benches and supplies they acquired from Randel Clark's cave and the Vault 22 campsite were a much needed shot in the arm for the heavily outgunned Dead Horses and Sorrows. While both tribes brandished a few repeating rifles, the White Legs were armed with an arsenal of thompson submachine guns and did not regard modern weapons as taboo like the Sorrows did. Marcus could only hope that the few combat shotguns, submachine guns, 10mm pistols and frag grenades would help even the odds. "I just hope the White Legs don't have any more tricks up their sleeves like that pulse pistol."

"Did your AI have any success determining where it came from?"

Marcus shook his head. "The best Moira could come up with was it was some kind of advanced prototype developed just before the bombs fell. So chances are it's the only one….but there's no way to be sure."

"The Brotherhood's technology is it's greatest strength….but also it's greatest weakness. It is one thing to use technology as a tool, but when you put all of your faith in it instead of in God and your people, that technology becomes a crutch."

Marcus couldn't help but agree. "Well….we've been trying to change that out East. I just hope the Brotherhood out here can accept change."

"Even the strongest tree will be ripped from it's roots if it does not bend in a heavy wind."

Marcus snorted. "If they're anything like the Outcasts back home, it's going to take more than philosophy to get them to change their ways."

Joshua shrugged. "People have a tendency to surprise us when their backs are against the wall. Look at how this situation has impacted the Sorrows. Who would've guess just a week ago that they would be training in the arts of war by a Brotherhood Sentinel."

Marcus did not respond to the statement, and instead took another long drink from his canteen.

"Marcus it's Sarah, do you read me?"

The Lone Wanderer placed his finger on his ear piece. "Read you load a clear, Sarah."

"Great. Daniel and I are on our way to you. We should be there soon."

Marcus grinned from ear to ear. He had not seen Sarah in days. "Roger that. I'll be….looking forward to your arrival."

"Oh I know you will." There was no missing the inuendo in her voice. "See you soon, Sarah out."

"We've set mines and traps on the Old Rockville Bridge," Marcus said as he pointed to the map on his PIPBOY's screen. ",and at the mouth of the Eastern Virgin. We have armed scouts at Ranger Station Peregrine, and at the Zion Welcome Booth. If the White Legs decide to attack the Dead Horses camp we'll have plenty of warning."

Joshua and Daniel both nodded in agreement.

Sarah leaned closer and pointed to a spot on the map. "What about these caves inside the camp? Is there any chance the White Legs can use them to our flank us?"

Daniel shook his head. "Doubtful. These caves are one large maze, and most of them wind up in a dead end."

"I agree." Joshua said. "The Eastern Virgin is the only way into the camp."

Marcus lowered his PIPBOY. "What can we expect when they attack?"

Joshua's voice seemed to lower and become more intense as he began to speak. "The White Legs use their advantage in firepower and numbers to overwhelm their enemies. They attack with such savagery that they often break the other tribe's will in the first moments of the battle. They are also well disciplined, and use the terrain to their advantage." His eyes met Sarah's. "Something that you have witnessed first hand, Sentinel."

Sarah's jaw hardened as she remembered the two ambushes that she'd barely survived since arriving in Zion. "That's why this time we're going to have a few surprises for them."

As Marcus observed the two men he could see that Joshua shared Sarah's confidence and determination, while Daniel still had his doubts. "I think we're as ready as we're going to be. All we can do now is wait."

"And pray." Daniel chimed in.

Sarah placed her head down on Marcus' bare chest, as the two lovers tried to catch their breath. "Sorry if I was too loud."

Marcus grinned. "It's the acoustics in these caves; they enhance the noise."

Sarah's face began to turn beat red, and she placed her palm over her eyes. "Oh God, I hope no one in the camp heard us."

"I think you woke the camp."

Sarah giggled and slapped his arm. "Shut up!"

Marcus held her tight and stole a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too." She laid her head down again and let out a sigh. "It won't be long, will it?"

The Lone Wanderer gently stroked her blonde hair. "No….it won't. But we'll get through this….we always do."

For several minutes the only sounds in the cave were their breathing. Sarah began to stir and she rolled onto her back. "Daniel told me some disturbing things about Joshua. He told me that what he really wants is revenge for New Canaan, and that he wants to eradicate the White Legs."

Marcus sat up, and he seemed to be deep in thought. "That maybe what he wants, but it doesn't mean that's what he's going to do."

Sarah rolled her eyes as she too sat up. "Look Marcus, I know you like him….but sooner or later you're going to have to accept that Joshua is not all he appears to be. The way he talks about going to war with the White Legs, all that stuff about cleansing God's holy temple. And when you factor in his past…."

"I know." He turned to look at her. "It's just that….when I look at Joshua….it's like I'm looking at my own reflection through a broken mirror. I know exactly how he feels, and what he's going through."

Sarah's eyes met his. "Then you of all people know how dangerous he can be. I need to know that we can count on him when the shooting starts."

Marcus gently placed his hand on her cheek. "He's a good man, Sarah. I can't explain how it's just….a feeling that I have. I'll keep an eye on him and I'll step in with the first sign of trouble. I promise."

While Sarah felt slightly better, she was still not convinced. "Okay. We should try to get some sleep. Daniel and I will be heading back to the Sorrows' camp in a few hours."

Marcus couldn't stop the yawn that escaped from him. Sarah immediately followed up with one of her own. "Stop that! Now you're making me do it."

Marcus chuckled. "Sorry - can't help it. You wore me out."

"I did, didn't I?" she said with a lusty voice.

They shared one more long kiss before drifting off to sleep.

Two days later….

The White Legs war party left their main camp in the Three Marys at dawn, and using their make-shift canoes were heading up the main body of the Virgin River towards the Sorrows camp. Their mission was simple: crush what they presumed to be the weaker of the two tribes, then concentrate on destroying the Dead Horses and Joshua Graham. They traveled as far as their canoes would carry them; to where the river forked and became shallow. Quickly they disembarked and made their way towards the canyon that would lead them to their enemy's camp.

As their advanced scouts were approaching what the Sorrows called caterpillar mound, a strange tapping sound got their attention, and the tribals quickly stopped; their guns at the ready. They cautiously made their way over to where the sound was coming from. One of them spotted two small red lights moving in the grass and quickly signaled to the others. As the White Leg got closer, he could see whatever it was looked like some kind of rodent, wearing tiny cloths and smaking two round pieces of metal together. The two red lights were its eyes and the head and mouth kept moving up and down, as if it was matching the movement of its arms. This must have been what outsiders called a - toy? The tribal reached down and picked it up - not seeing the trip wire it was connected to before it was too late.

The eight bottlecap mines exploded and killed more than a dozen of the warriors out right, and wounded just as many. It was preceded immediately by a loud battle cry as dozens of Sorrows hunters, lead by Daniel and Sarah, emerged from the top of the mound and opened fire. Bullets, arrows and spears rained down on the surprised White Legs, cutting into their ranks. Daniel fired a full burst from his thompson, cutting down three of the enemy warriors. Sarah took aim with a .44 caliber bushmaster and took a White Leg's head clean off. While she prefered to use her guass rifle, both she and Marcus decided to use standard weapons since ammo for energy weapons was almost impossible to find in Zion. Several of the Sorrows were armed with 10mm submachine guns that were salvaged from the Vault 22 camp, including Waking Cloud. She gritted her teeth as she squeezed the trigger, sending two more of the her hated enemy into the next world.

With the element of surprise gone, the White Legs were quick to regroup and returned fire with their thompsons and repeating rifles. One of them tossed a gasoline bomb up the mound into a group of Sorrows, incinerating three of them. Sarah put him down with a single round from her rifle, but had to duck back down as several .45 caliber slugs hit her combat armor's shields.

The battle was intense as people fell on both sides. The White Legs charged the mound again and again, and each time they were driven back - but each time it cost the Sorrows dearly. Sarah crouched down to check her ammo when she heard the distinct sound of a .50 caliber barrett being fired. The round cut right through the logs the Sorrows had set up for cover and blew a tribal's chest out. Sarah peered over her cover, and spotted several White Legs perched on the cliffs to the right, firing down on their position. The barrett was fired again, and other Sorrows' head was blown to pieces.

"Those snipers are tearing us apart!" Daniel yelled as he reloaded his thompson.

Sarah tried to get a shot off, but was pinned down. The White Legs down below took advantage of this and began to charge again. Sarah knew they would not be able to hold them. "Get ready to fall back…."

The cliffs where the snipers were perched exploded in a cascade of fire and shrapnel. Sarah heard a muffled thump, and it was immediately followed by another explosion. She could barely contain her joy. "They're here!"

Marcus slung his grenade launcher onto his back and charged with Lincoln's repeater. Behind him was Joshua, Follows-Chalk, Dogmeat and over fifty of the Dead Horses. They charged down from the Sorrows Fork Campground and headed straight into the White Legs ranks. Joshua, with his .45 caliber pistol in his right hand and gladius in his left, cut through the White Legs one by one. After firing every round in his repeating rifle, Follows-Chalk drew his war club and charged; cracking a White Legs skull open with one swing.

Sarah and Daniel ordered a charge, and they along with the Sorrows raced down the mound and joined in the fight. Sarah used her ripper to slash a White Leg across the throat, then spun around and slashed another across his chest. Waking Cloud roared with fury as she gutted a White Leg with her gauntlet, then grabbed another from behind and cut his throat.

The White Legs were decimated by the combined attacks, and what few remained ran into the hills for their lives. A roar of triumph rose up from the Dead Horses and Sorrows warriors as they watched their hated enemies retreat.

Marcus and Sarah quickly ran into each other's arms and embraced. As always, they were happy that the other was alive. "You're late." Sarah playfully said.

Marcus grinned. "Like you could've gotten to us any faster."

Sarah jabbed him in the arm, then kissed him again.

Daniel walked over to them, and for the first time since the conflict began, the missionary looked relieved. "Looks like we've done it."

Marcus looked over to where Joshua was standing, and something about the look in his eyes caused alarm bells to go off inside his head. The Lone Wanderer walked over to him. "Joshua, what's wrong?"

The Burned Man's eyes scanned the carnage on the battlefield. "This doesn't feel right. It was too easy. If the White Legs were intent on wiping out the Sorrows they should've sent more warriors."

Marcus too began surveying the battlefield, and the battle began to replay in his mind. He had to admit he'd expected more from the White Legs, but he assumed they had not been prepared for such a counter attack…..

"Look!" Follows-Chalk yelled as he pointed towards the south.

Everyone turned and though it was far in the distance, there was no mistaking the flaming arrow shooting straight up into the air. It was the signal that the White Legs had been sighted….and the arrow had come from the Dead Horses camp.

"No!" Joshua gasped as he took off in a mad sprint.

The Dead Horses tribal had managed to fire the flaming arrow before being struck in the back with a White Leg's tomahawk. The Dead Horses left at the camp had been prepared for the White Legs to attack from the Eastern Virgin, which is where most of the warriors had been waiting. They never imagined a war party attacking them from within the camp itself, specifically from Fallen Rock Cave. The White Legs announced their arrival by emerging from the cave and blasting away with their thompson submachine guns, killing any Dead Horses in their path. It didn't matter if they were warriors or women - none were spared. Once the way had been cleared, Salt-Upon-Wounds emerged from the cave and lead his warriors into the heart of the battle. To their credit, the Dead Horses warriors fought bravely, and killed many of the White Legs, but the surprise and ferocity of the attack was too much. The slaughter was so complete, the savages even took the time to take scalps.

Joshua's lungs felt like they were on fire when the Eastern Virgin finally was in sight. Marcus, Sarah, Daniel, Dogmeat, the Dead Horses and several of the Sorrows hunters, including Waking Cloud, were right behind him. Salt-Upon-Wounds had just removed the scalp from a Dead Horse warrior when one of his men shouted that the enemy was approaching. The war chief turned in time to see Joshua Graham standing in the middle of the canyon; rage and murder in his eyes. A sinister smirk appeared on the chief's face, and he quickly ordered his men back into Fallen Rock Cave.

Joshua tightened the grip on his pistol and gladius and took off running. He was not going to let the heathen get away. He could hear Daniel screaming for him to wait, but he didn't listen. The only thing that mattered was getting to Salt-Upon-Wounds and making him pay. A bullet slammed into his right shoulder, knocking the Burned Man flat on his back. Despite the pain and blood Joshua struggled to get up. He spotted the sniper perched on the cliffs above, taking aim and ready to fire. 'So this is how it ends', he thought as he braced himself to meet his maker.

Just as the sniper pulled the trigger, someone jumped in front of Joshua. The bullet struck the man in the throat and he fell down next to him. Time seemed to stop as Joshua looked into his savior's eyes, and his voice was barely above a whisper. "Daniel?"

Daniel tried in vain to speak, but all he could make was a wet, gurgling sound.

Marcus took aim with his repeater, activated his VATS and fired a single round which took the sniper's head off.

Joshua snapped out of his shock, crawled over to his dying friend and cradled him in his arms. By now the rest of the Sorrows had gathered around, and Waking Cloud kneeled down and desperately tried to treat Daniel's wounds.

By the time Marcus, Sarah and the remaining Dead Horses had made it to the camp, the White Legs had vanished. The Dead Horse warriors began to wail and shriek at the sight of the carnage. Very few of the tribals who had been in the camp had survived, including many of the women who had stayed. Marcus stood in the middle of the camp, his mouth hung open as he took in the horrific scene. His blood began to boil as he was filled with rage and disgust, but most of all, he was filled with shame and guilt. The tribals had believed in him, trusted him to lead them to victory. But instead, they had been lead to their slaughter.

A loud, tortured scream from Joshua Graham filled the canyon, signalling the death of Daniel.