Chapter 4: Let's Go!
Ranger De La Vega walked across the FD army base hoping to avoid the General. She just didn't have the patience to deal with him right now, but she needed to inspect what waited her at one of the new hangers that have been hurriedly built recently.
Just as she was about half way across the base, she knew her hopes were in vain. General Tomas Nofeather, Legacy, could be seen marching towards her. At least he was alone so he wasn't going to have her tossed in the brig again. Rosa stops, turns to him and waits with crossed arms.
"Ranger, "he said with absolutely no inflection.
"General,"Rosa replied.
"Walk with me, "the General starts to walk in the direction she needed to go, so she did, "I understand that congratulations are technically in order and that you will be away for a good bit of time on a new assignment."
"Thank you and yes, "Rosa returned, "Are you aware of the previously unknown Legacy?"
"I saw the reports, "he sighs, "And I also remember a young pretty thing of a bot I trained not so long ago having constant inherit flashbacks about an uncle with that same name. Don't let that blind you, but if anyone can confirm or deny the synth is truly that police detective's Legacy you can. In my opinion, that's the only good reason for you be given this assignment. The Brotherhood, Institute...any human or ghoul ranger would have been a safer choice. If you are captured, it could be rather devastating not only to yourself but Fort Dallas' security. So don't get caught."
Rosa nodded looking a little confused, "Understood. Hum..I feel I must mention that I am rather surprised at hearing words of wisdom rather than condensation. I did disobey orders."
The General shook his head. "I was only passing along those orders. They were not mine. I may lead the army but it is the council that determines where I should lead it to. Yes, I was angry and may have overreacted a little throwing you in the brig before you could get those bullet holes taken care of. What is done is done. Looking back and all things considered, you did good. You were never the type to blindly follow orders."
Rosa sighs in relief. "Of course not, my personality came from a college kid who thought she knew better than anyone else. Even though we grow and evolve into our own, those roots are still there."
"Damn right,"the two of them arrived at the designated hanger. The General raises the gate to reveal what had to be the first of a new version of vertibird design in decades if not a century. To be honest, it wasn't a vertibird at all, but more of a true helicopter. Only one main rotor with a smaller tail rotor, it was dark gray in color with bronze trimming. It was small for something that according to the notes had a range of just under 2000 miles. It had just enough room for the pilot with some gear. Maybe two or three people if they left the gear and the two passengers didn't mind almost sitting in each other laps. It did have a machine gun strapped just below the nose, but that seemed to more of an after thought.
"You are aware I have no idea how to fly this thing,"Rosa quipped, "And learning while flying cross country alone sounds like a really bad idea."
"Well that's what you'll have to do, "he answered, "While we are now building our own aircraft and retrofitting that airship you caught, pilots are scarce and those being trained don't have much more practice than you. The only reason why you're getting this thing, that it was originally used for testing purposes. Good news, after all that concept testing we know how well this thing flies. It'll get you where you need to go. You should have enough time to get a few tips from that techie friend of yours. By the way, this is something else that is better destroyed than captured. Memorize the maintenance manual before you fly off because you are not taking one with you."
She shakes her head. "Is it just me or is all this starting to feel…"
"Like we've all done this before?" Nofeather huffed, "How do you think I feel? My Legator actually dealt with national security and congress before the war, the Great War that is. The council is getting almost as bad as those nuts in DC use to be."
The General looks towards the open gate and then softly adds, "If Valentine is a Legacy, find the other CIT personalty scans if you can but do not send them here."
"What?!"
"Find a place to create a new Fort Dallas, only this time don't make the mistakes we've made. Don't get me wrong, we did good but its starting to sour. Prime is working on course correcting, but that will take time and there are no guarantees, "the General explained firmly, "Our goal with Fort Dallas was to slowly and subtly rebuild not just this small part of Texas but a good portion of what was the North America. Not by building an empire but by example. If our borders extend no further than they currently are, more the better so long as those outside those borders see what we have accomplished, take heart from it and try to do the same. A bit idealistic I'd admit, but its not right for people to continue suffering for the sins of their ancestors. Since we are the Legacies of some of those same people that destroyed the world, we must do everything we possibly can if not more to make things right. If that includes planting seeds for another Legacy founded settlement on the east coast so be it. Heh. Feeling the weight yet?"
"Fuck you, "Rosa growled, "I'm the last person you want world building. But I'll try my best. So that's the real reason Susan is being sent. She's one of the few that can not only repair a Legacy's body, but build one from scratch if needed and knows how to perform downloads and transfers. Damn it. What's the odds the Brotherhood will be leaving the Boston area before I get there?"
"Unless they find what they're looking for, unlikely, "the General answers and walks over to her to place a hand on her lower back, "Why don't I buy you a drink to make up for throwing you in the brig and we can talk more about this."
(Sometime Later, Third-Rail, Goodneighbor)
Jacob Swanson sat at the Third Rail's bar, nursing his drink. He was a regular at this point, stopping by every other night and buying no more than two drinks to sip on while he was listening to the music. He ignores whoever it was taking the stool next to him and was considering leaving when he heard the woman order a bourbon neat with a slight Texas twang in her voice. He takes a sip as he nonchalantly turns around in his seat to get a brief look at her only to nearly choke. There was no mistaking he ranger uniform she was wearing. It was unlikely anyone else around here would recognize it but still. He couldn't get a good look of her face thanks to the lowered brim of her hat and the scarf she was wearing.
'Ranger?"
"Observer?"she responds as she pulls out wide mouth bottle and poured the bourbon into it. She then closed it and shook the container to mix the bourbon with what ever was already there. She jokes as she was doing so, "You have any idea how hard it is to find decent tasting coolant in this town?"
She then lowers the scarf to reveal the bottom portion of her face. The sandy colored skin and the tips of bronze cheek stripes could could seen.
He turns back so that he is facing the bar goes back to nursing his drink, "Ranger De La Rosa. Guess I shouldn't be surprise. You volunteer or get volunteered."
The Legacy snorted and took a drink. "There was no volunteering at all actually. I was basically ordered to come out here and they were oh so happy to see the last of me. I guess I stepped little too hard on the wrong toes this time. Oh by the way, I got a message for 'ya, "She hands over an envelope, "I hope its good news."
Jacob took the envelope with a slight shake in hand. He takes a deep breath before opening it. He takes a few minutes to read the letter and then takes a deep breath, smiling. "Oh thank the Four, "he whispers.
A pouch was placed in front of him with faint clinking of caps, "Here's your traveling expenses. The next caravan that going anywhere near Fort Dallas isn't leaving until next week or you could wait for a ride back when I get a special delivery in a month or so. Either should give you enough time get your things in order and show me around some. Maybe introduce me to some of the more interesting locals."
A slap on both their backs startle them as Hancock says, "I just heard the jingle jangle of some serious caps and when I came over to check on who got lucky, I hear you're going a trip. Swanson, I'm hurt. I thought you liked it here."
"Talking about interesting locals, "Rosa chuckles and then says, "Is this the infamous Mayor Hancock that I've heard so much about? It is a pleasure to finally meet the face attached to the stories."
"You've been talking about me behind my back? Dunno if I should be happy or hurt, "Hancock said to Jacob but then turned to focus on the woman, "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Miss…"
"De La Vega, Rosa De La Vega, "she says as she lifts her head, revealing her faintly glowing solid amber colored eyes, "Fort Dallas ranger. They didn't like how I did things so they sent me out here on my lonesome. I owed Jacob's brother a favor so here I am delivering a message."
"Holy shit! Your a synth!" Hancock exclaims.
The entire bar goes silent and the sounds of guns clicking could be heard. Ignoring the sudden shift in mood, Rosa took another drink and laughed, "If you mean one of those Institute made mannequins running around, sorry to disappoint. This awesome bod is 100% Texas made. Fort Dallas Legacy Labs to be exact. Someone would need to find the stamp on my ass to find out exactly when it came off the production line."
"heh heh...for a bot, I like you, "Hancock nodded and added, "You seem cool."
That must have been code or something, because at those words all the guns in the room were lowered and the conversations started up again but with a different tone to them.
"Why don't you two join me at my table, "Hancock asked but it was obviously not a request, "It'll be a little more private and comfortable for all of us."
"I for one would be honored, "Rosa said as she slid off the stool.
(Later)
So you're telling me you stole a vertibird, handily boarded a Brotherhood airship and proceed to bomb a Brotherhood base from it, "Oh man, that must have been a sight, "Hancock laughed and acted as if he wiping a tear from his eye, "And they kicked you out for that?"
"My actions supposedly interfered with the on-going at peace talks, "Rosa huffed, "But you shouldn't go into peace talks from a point of weakness. We may have had the numbers on the ground, but they had the air superiority and way better artillery. So I took it away from them." She shrugs. "I understand a truce was signed the next day while I was cooling my heels in the brig."
"You must be joshing me, "Hancock insisted.
"Trust me, it's exactly something she would do, "Jacob rubbed his eyes tiredly, "I remember reading the news of her wiping out a major raider camp with only herself and two local ranchers."
"Was only doing my job, "Rosa said, "They were a menace to the outlying settlements and had recently started taking children. They had to be stopped."
"And they sent you away, "Hancock muttered, "What a waste of talent."
Mr. Hancock, Ms. De La Rosa I do apologize but I really need to get going. It's late and ...yawn."
Hancock looked around and noticed for the first time that the bar was actually almost empty. "Damn, "he says, "It must be late. Hope you see ya' around before you take off on your trip, Jacob. And Rosa, will you be staying at the Rex?"
"Stupid me didn't bother getting a room earlier, thinking I would only be a few minutes, "Rosa shrugs, "Even if the front desk is open, don't see any point paying for a room I would only sit in for a few hours. I can do that out on the bench and the fresh air might do me some good."
"Meet up tomorrow afternoon, same place?"Jacob asks as he gets up.
"Sounds good and sleep sleep well," Rosa nodded and the proceed to slide out from the corner seating herself.
"If you want, you can crash out at my place until then, "Hancock offered, "I have more than a few couches."
"So long as you don't ask if I have a vibrate setting, I might just take you up on that offer, "she says with a smile, "Just let me get my bags I left up front."
Hancock watched as she walked away, now wondering if she did have a vibrate setting.
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