Chapter Five
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"Keep moving!"
Ella's feet pounded against the ground, each step heavier than the last as her pace slowed. Her chest burned, aching with effort as she ran laps around the yard.
"Faster initiate!" Danse bellowed.
Sweat dripped down her back as she picked up the pace. Her muscles screamed as she pumped her legs faster, her breaths ragged gasps as she forced herself on.
"You're further behind than the others" Danse reminded her, watching as she struggled through another lap. "We need to build you from the ground up."
She nodded, pushing through the pain. While the others had moved on to more advanced military training, she was still catching up on the basics, meaning she had to work twice as hard to keep up. Her muscles ached as she pushed herself to complete the lap, feeling the weight of the extra sessions.
Danse was a strict mentor, firm but fair with no tolerance for lateness or untidiness. He pushed her harder every day, building on strength and stamina, but progress was slow, each step a reminder of how far she had to go.
"You're doing well," Danse said, his eyes fixed on her struggling form. "But remember, consistency is key. We can't afford any setbacks."
Ella gritted her teeth, knowing she couldn't fall any further behind. Not when Danse had invested so much time in her training. She needed to prove to him, and herself that she belonged here.
She collapsed in a heap once training was done, her muscles trembling with exhaustion as Danse came to sit beside her.
"Here," he said, offering her a canteen of water "drink this."
"Thank you" she gasped, taking it from him.
They sat in silence as she savoured the cold liquid, her breath slowly steading. The yard was empty except for them. The high grey walls providing a rare moment of quiet, allowing them to breathe and reflect. Even Danse seemed caught up in it, lost in his own thoughts before eventually turning to look at her.
"We should head back," he said gently, "You're expected in the Medbay this afternoon."
Ella frowned "The Medbay?"
Danse nodded. "As an initiate, you'll be assigned to various duties aboard the Prydwen as part of your training," he explained "It's crucial that you understand all aspects of our operations, from combat to support roles."
Ella nodded, excited by the prospect of getting stuck in and learning something new.
"This is a great opportunity to gain new skills and demonstrate your dedication to the Brotherhood" Danse continued, "Not only that, but it will help you determine your path with us so be sure to pay attention. I want you to absorb as much as possible."
"Yes sir."
Dismissed with a nod Ella headed for her dorm. Feeling the heavy ache from training spread across her body as she showered. Changing quickly, she headed for the Medbay when she crossed paths with Nia, heading in the opposite direction.
"Hey," Nia waved, "Where are you off to?"
"Medbay" Ella replied. "I've been assigned there for the week."
Nia nodded approvingly. "Nice. I'm headed to the tech lab. Catch up with you later?"
"Sure" Ella agreed, "Good luck in the lab!"
They went their separate ways with a smile, Ella feeling a sense of camaraderie as she continued on her way.
After her disastrous lesson with Scribe Throne – which according to Nia wasn't going to get any better - the two had begun to spend time together. Between the relentless training sessions, comparing bruises and helping each other shoulder the weight of the high expectations placed upon them, a friendship had started to blossom. Ella took comfort in Nia's presence, grateful to have someone to share the strict realities of the Brotherhood with.
The Medbay was located on the main deck, its stark clinical atmosphere giving it an unwelcome feeling. Despite its cold appearance, there was an undeniable sense of disciplined readiness. Rows of metal framed beds stood ready to receive patients. Cabinets and counters were lined with a variety of medications, bandages and equipment ensuring everything was within easy reach. In the back, a surgical area was set up, the operating table surrounded by bright lights and sterile medical instruments ready and raring to go.
Finding the on-duty medic, it quickly became apparent that Ella was there because she had to be, not because the staff wanted or needed her help. The doctor immediately handing her a mop and bucket.
"Clean up the spill in bay three" she ordered, without so much as looking up. Ella did as she said, feeling a pang of disappointment. Trying not to think about what had caused the giant blood stain in front of her as she began scrubbing. When she was finished, she approached the medic again, hoping for a more meaningful task.
"Excuse me, is there anything I do?"
The medic sighed but nodded. "Alright, you can practice emergency first aid on the dummy. Follow me."
Ella spent the next few hours under the medic's stern supervision, learning how to bandage wounds and administer first aid. A single mistake, however, had the medic snapping at her.
"Pay attention initiate!" she barked "Lives depend on your skills."
She was quickly demoted to errand duty, carrying out small tasks and cleaning equipment. It wasn't just there either. From Medbay Ella moved to the tech lab, each new assignment bringing the same hostility.
"You're in the way initiate" one scribe snapped, glowering at her.
"Do something useful and sort those tapes by date and project number" another instructed, shoving a large stack of holotapes into her arms "And don't mix them up. It took me weeks to sort them out after one of you messed them up last time."
The hierarchy of the Brotherhood became strikingly clear as time went on. Despite her best efforts to be helpful, Ella found herself constantly pushed aside. Each department treated her as nothing more than an annoyance, a lackey to carry out menial tasks to remind her of her low position. Her frustration grew when she was sent to the mess hall, an area where she knew she could be of use and make a meaningful contribution. Instead, she was handed a ladle by a disgruntled Gary.
"Serve the Knights and Paladins. And be quick about it, they don't like to wait."
She spent the next few hours serving meals, surrounded by muttered complaints from those she served. "Watch where you're going, Initiate," a knight grumbled as she nearly tripped over his outstretched foot.
As she moved through the crowded mess hall, she saw Knight Rhys, lounging at a table. She hadn't seen him much since she joined, but his dislike of her hadn't changed, his face twisting into a scowl as he spotted her. "Clean that up initiate" he ordered, shoving his dirty tray towards her. Ella did as he said, picking up the bits of food from the floor while Rhys watched on with a sneer.
It was clear that as an initiate, she was at the bottom of the hierarchy. Expected to do what she was told, when she was told. It was disheartening, especially since Danse never treated her that way. He only addressed her as 'Initiate', but his demeanour was different. Unlike the others who barked orders and looked down at her, he seemed to want her to improve.
Exhausted, she collapsed into bed, her body sore and aching. As her lids closed, her thoughts drifted to her father and Dogmeat as they always did. She missed them terribly. Life in the Brotherhood was challenging, but the physical toll of training was nothing compared to the pain of losing them. She wondered what her father would think if he could see her now. Would he be proud of her?
Life with the Brotherhood wasn't one she imagined having, but it was the one she had been given. If not for them, she would be dead. Despite the rigid, demanding hierarchy, she was determined to make the most of this second chance, to prove her worth no matter how long it took.