Chapter 15: Capital Gains

Adam was chosen as the governor of the Commonwealth. He would ensure that everything we had to set up to ensure the Commonwealth was run how I desired would be done. His religious fervor and dedication were the perfect combination to keep things running smoothly. Boston in particular had been cleared of debris, had most of its buildings torn down so rebuilding could begin, and the buildings that were still in good enough shape converted into homes.

Several apartment buildings had been converted into barracks for the Impius Mille, which had also absorbed the Minutemen. This area was considered their central headquarters while teams of soldiers were stationed at every settlement so the settlements could have dedicated protection and law enforcement. Every team had a few vehicles that they could utilize in their duties. With all of the roads repaired, this allowed the Impius Mille to respond to nearly any threat within minutes.

Some settlements had to be moved, since their locations weren't optimal for actual trade or future growth. After examining historical records in the Ala Miraculorum, I found that most town in the Commonwealth were on average five to ten miles apart in the eighteen-hundreds. This was due to several factors such as geography, population density, and available transportation. As transportation modernized and became faster, and populations grew, these towns slowly began to absorb one another. I decided to place settlements thirty miles apart. This would give the populations more room to grow, more area to farm, and allow for the Impius Mille teams to have greater authority around their settlements. This also meant that, at most, authorities would only ever be fifteen minutes away at any given point.

Each settlement had a Legion representative as its magistrate. This representative would ensure that proper tax was collected for the Wasteland reclamation efforts, and that suitable materials were issued to best help the settlement grow and thrive. The magistrate of each town was also responsible for the health and prosperity of its people. If the people did not fare well, the magistrate would be punished accordingly. To assist the magistrate with his duties, a local Church of Atom was set up so that those who needed extra help could request it from the Church.

The Church was placed in charge of maintaining the settlement's power grid, as well as handling and disposing of any radioactive material the people might come across. The Church was also charged with preaching the word of Atom, converting the population to the Church's beliefs, and holding mass, birth, and funeral ceremonies. This would not be forced on people, but I understood the human mind enough that if you control certain aspects of a person's life, they're more than likely to hear you out and come around to your point of view. Take away the poison of radiation, provide life sustaining power, and provide medical care when needed, and you'll eventually become everyone's best friend. All the Church needed was a gentle hand and time. Eventually, most everyone would convert. Those who didn't wouldn't buck the system since they needed the system to thrive.

The Ala Miraculorum was also given a magistrate who would ensure that they continued to heed my directives and didn't stray from them. Any research that I had forbidden would be quickly and severely punished. I appreciated the Ala Miraculorum, but I also understood that scientists had a penchant for delving into research even if they knew it could be harmful to others just for the sake of discovering if their theories were true or not. Some of the Ala Miraculorum's members came with me so that they could inspect and research any new technology that we might come across. They were also there to establish secure communications that could reach back to the Commonwealth. I wanted to be able to speak with everyone and give weekly addresses on our progress.

With everything set in place, the Legion, as well as a good many acolytes from the Church of Atom, as well as Meirune, his deathclaws, T'Preea, Jeff, and I set out to conquer the Wasteland. Our first stop was directly southwest; the Capital Wasteland. Travel was fairly quick as I repaired the roads well ahead of us, and the entire force was packed into personnel vehicles for efficient transport. We crossed nearly four hundred miles in a matter of hours and as we crossed the border into the Capital Wasteland, I had the caravan stop and set up camp. Much to Maplaius' chagrin, I didn't simply want to march in and take over the place. I wanted to use a bit more tact.

As the Legion set up camp, the Ala Miraculorum members quickly set up a radio tower for me to broadcast from. Their technology was far more advanced than even pre-war radio, since they utilized their signal boosting technology that could punch through hundreds of feet of stone and soil to reach any place in the Commonwealth. With the booster on the surface and in clear skies, there was no telling how far the signal would reach, but I was certain it would reach the entirety of the Capital Wasteland since its area was smaller than that of the Commonwealth.

I sat at the small table with its microphone and prepared to introduce myself. T'Preea stood by my side, all smiles and giving me an encouraging grin.

I cleared my throat and pressed the button to send the signal, "Good morning to everyone in the Capital Wasteland. My name is Merida Orodum. I am the Caesaris of Caesar's Legion, and High Priestess of the Church of Atom. Through our efforts, we have brought peace and prosperity to the Commonwealth and we have now come to the Capital Wasteland to do the same."

I allowed a moment for anyone listening to digest the information before continuing, "Understand that we wish to integrate the towns and settlements in the Capital into the Legion peacefully. We have cleansed the Commonwealth of radiation, which means we have pure, healthy water. We have repaired the roads and set up law enforcement patrols, which means safe, reliable travel. We have also placed well trained, dedicated law enforcement officers in every settlement, which means safety for all. Additionally, we have removed every raider group and gang from the settlement, which means a vast reduction in crime."

"Additionally, the Church of Atom has Churches in every settlement to provide power to the settlements, as well as physical, mental, and medical aid," I said. "The Legion and the Church provides for, and cares for those within our ranks. In return, we only ask that those who can fight submit themselves for training, so that you can either join us in our march for a few years, or become one of the security personnel for the settlements here in the Capital. We also ask for a percentage of your goods and materials to help us continue to bring peace and security to the Wasteland, while we provide other materials in return."

Another pause. Another chance for them to consider what I had said before I continued, "It is my hope that when we arrive at your settlement, you will welcome us with open arms. For those gangs, raiders, and the Brotherhood of Steel, I will give you this one offer; we would rather you work with us than against us. When we arrive, we ask that you lay down your arms and welcome us in to speak with you. If you do not, we will not hesitate to engage you."

"Understand that we have already destroyed dozens of raider gangs, and brought the Institute to heel in the Commonwealth," I warned with a serious tone. "You will not stop us. But you can join us. To the Brotherhood of Steel, I would appreciate it if you send a delegation to our location to engage in talks. Yours is a respectable organization that I would like to preserve."

"We will remain at our camp for a week," I continued. "This will give you all time to consider my proposal and send representatives to talk with us if you desire. I will continue to clarify our goals each day at this same time for those who wish to have more information. However, after a week, we will push into the Capital and begin asserting ourselves as the new authority. I hope you all choose peace and prosperity over defiance and war. Again, my name is Merida Orodum, and I hope I can help you all live better, more peaceful lives. I will speak to you again tomorrow."

With that, I turned off the signal and members of the Legion began sending a repeating set of coordinates that would lead to our location. Over the next few days we had several representatives from different towns and settlements approach us to see if we were actually real, and to see what we could do to help them. We also had a number of attacks by raiders gangs who thought that they would get rid of us before we could become an issue. These attacks were futile and quickly put down. However, on the sixth day, we received a surprising delegation.

A scout stepped into the tent we'd set up to hold meetings in and thumped a fist to his chest.

Malpaius looked at the man and grunted, "Another representative?"

"Sir," the scout replied, "a delegation from the Brotherhood of Steel has arrived. Their representative is excited to meet her old friend."

"I have no friends in the Brotherhood," Malpaius snorted.

"Forgive me, Legate," the scout replied then motioned to me, "but she was referring to the Caesaris."

I arched my brows, "Me? I don't know anyone in the Brotherhood either."

The scout could only shrug, "That's all I was asked to say, Caesaris."

"She didn't give you a name?" T'Preea asked.

He shook his head, "No, High Confessor."

Malpaius just sighed, "Relieve them of their weapons and show them in. We'll meet this 'friend' and see what she has to say."

"As you command, Legate," the scout saluted then disappeared out of the tent.

"Who do you think it could be?" T'Preea asked.

"No idea," I answered. "I haven't been outside of the Commonwealth until now."

"Do you think it could be this Seven person you mentioned?" Malpaius asked.

I shook my head, "No. Seven's a man. The scout said it was a she… Have Meirune nearby just in case."

It was about ten minutes before the scout returned, "Caesaris, Legate, High Confessor; the delegation from the Brotherhood of Steel is here."

"Show them in," Malpaius said.

The scout pulled the flap to the tent apart and several soldiers walked in, a pair of them in T-51 power armor, and behind them a slender young woman with long, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a wide smile.

"Serena!" T'Preea and I both shouted in surprise. We ran forward and hugged her.

Serena laughed and knelt down to hug us, "What are you so young, Merida?"

I laughed and looked up at her. She was in her late teens or early twenties, "Hey, I'm older than everyone here. I was frozen for nearly two hundred years."

"That's fair," she chuckled and looked at T'Preea. "Who's this?"

"Oh! That's right," T'Preea sighed. "I don't look like I used to. I'm Aelfric!"

"Aelfric?" Serena gasped. "Wow… so you look nothing like you used to."

"Tell me about it," T'Preea sighed. "But that doesn't matter. Are you in charge of the Brotherhood?"

Serena shook her head, "I'm afraid not. I'm just a Scribe. But when I heard Merida on the radio, I spent the past few days convincing the officers that I knew you and that I could negotiate with you peacefully."

"Scribe Cousland assures us that you and she have spoken before and that we can work something out so that we can coexist without provocation," one of the men in power armor said.

Malpaius was clearly displeased with the power armor being brought into the command tent, but he held his tongue as he responded, "Then please sit. Clearly there are some things that need to be clarified."

Everyone took their seats. Serena had opted to sit with the Brotherhood, likely to show some solidarity with them. Her body language showed that she was apprehensive about something.

"I suppose I should start by getting rid of any misunderstandings you might have come here with," I began. I saw Serena close her eyes as if she were bracing herself for what was going to come next. We had worked together to run our respective kingdoms in our last life and she knew what I was like when it came to diplomacy.

"But first, we should introduce ourselves," I smiled. "I am Merida Orodum; Caesaris of the Legion, and High Priestess of the Church of Atom. This is my good friend High Confessor T'Preea Garvey of the Church of Atom, and Legate Malpaius, the Commander of my army."

Serena bowed her head, likely a throwback from when we used to negotiate together in Thedas, "It's good to meet you all. I am Serena Cousland, Scribe of the Brotherhood of Steel. This is Paladin Cortez, and Paladin Marshal. We have been sent by Elder Lyons to treat with you and to see what Legion's intentions are in the Capital."

"And the others?" I asked, looking at the other men and women that had joined them.

"They're primarily security," Marshal answered. "The Brotherhood believes in caution and practicality."

"Two traits I admire greatly," I smiled. "They may stay, if you like. Otherwise, I can have food and drink brought to them while we talk. It will be free of any radiation or contaminants."

"Actually," Serena chimed in, "that's one detail we were asked to check on. You mentioned rad free water. Elder Lyons wished for us to find out if you were telling the truth about that."

"I'll have some water brought to you so that you can test it," T'Preea said, then promptly sent the request over the radio.

"You're very accommodating," Cortez said with no small amount of suspicion.

"The Caesaris believes in bettering the lives of all," Malpaius replied. "You would do well to remember that as our talks continue."

His reply and tone rankled the pair of paladins. Normally I would try to smooth things over with something that would placate them or lift their spirits, but these men were soldiers. Soldiers preferred the hard truth to a comforting lie or a cozy reassurance. I decided to be frank with them.

"You mentioned that you would like to come to an understanding where the Legion and the Brotherhood could coexist peacefully," I said, looking at the paladins. "Let me be perfectly clear; coexistence is not an option. The Brotherhood will agree to join the Legion and be allowed to mostly continue following its goals, while also being expected to bolster and aid the Legion as we reunite the country again."

Paladin Marshal looked like he wanted to throttle me, "Are you insane? That's not how you start a diplomatic meeting. Do you really believe the Brotherhood would simply bow to your will?"

"The Caesaris never mentioned diplomacy," Mapaius interjected.

"However," Serena was quick to interject, "she did say that the Brotherhood would be allowed to continue striving toward its goals. Perhaps she could tell us what she means by that?"

Cortez seemed to have the cooler head out of the two paladins. He flicked his hand my way, "Go on, then. This I need to hear."

"You can't be serious!" Marshal roared.

Cortez stared at the man with barely restrained calm, "You're new to your role, Marshal. Our job is to find out the Legion's intentions. Listening to their plan is how we find out."

"They want to disband the Brotherhood or destroy it," Marshal argued.

"Merida never said anything about disbanding the Brotherhood," T'Preea pointed out. "Just integrating it into the Legion."

"Which is disbanding it by another name," Marshal spat.

Cortez grabbed Marshal by the shoulder and shot him a warning glare, "You need to calm down. You're already dishonoring us with your attitude. We're here representing the Brotherhood and we will conduct ourselves accordingly."

That seemed to hit home with Marshal and he sat back begrudgingly, "Well, out with it. Let's hear your plans."

I smiled brightly and bowed my head, "Thank you for keeping an open mind. Currently, the Legion has conquered Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada. My grandfather is a harsh man and uses brutal tactics to conquer territories, but is practical and efficient when it comes to governing those he conquers. I wish to conquer differently and rule better."

I motioned to Malpaius, "My Legate here can attest to the differences between my grandfather and myself. I prefer to win over the people by providing infrastructure, clean food and water, security, power, and medical aid. The people I govern give me power over them because they understand that I work for their betterment. I believe the Brotherhood of Steel would be an invaluable addition to this process."

"How so?" Serena asked. "We're primarily a military organization and you already have a military."

"A larger military never hurts," I snickered. "But you're more than that. The Brotherhood has excellent engineers, scientists, and scouts. Your ability to gather information on an area is second to none, and you also have a rare commodity; air travel."

I stood from my chair and moved to a large map of the country, using a small radiation glow to point at areas on the map, "The Legion currently controls six of the former fifty states of America. Arizona, New Mexico, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. By now, I'm sure my grandfather has begun pushing east and will start claiming states as he goes."

"However, with the Brotherhoods technology, manpower, and air transportation, we could begin setting up transportation of goods, men, and communication between both sets of Legion forces," I continued. "This would be mean that we could speed up the process of conquering the Wasteland exponentially. It also means that we could show my grandfather that my way brings better, faster results so that he will begin adopting them."

"Additionally, this would also mean that the Brotherhood would gain the resources of the Legion when it comes to finding and securing old technology," I added. "The Brotherhood would secure the technology for the Ala Miraculorum so that they could research it and make it safe for use for the good of the general public."

"What's the Ala Miraculorum?" Serena asked.

"You'd probably know it as the Institute," T'Preea smirked.

"You took over the Institute?!" Serena gasped.

"We convinced them that working for the Legion was better than working against us," T'Preea shrugged. "Merida shut down their synth research and directed them to focus on developing technology that would assist in the restoration of the modern world."

"They're also working on medical technology to help improve the overall health of the population," I added.

"You stopped research into new technology?" Marshal asked suspiciously.

"I stopped research into technology that cause too much friction," I corrected. "I insisted the research go in a different direction which would serve the people better."

"The same research being used for something different?" Cortez asked. "Wouldn't it still have the same possible application as the original?"

I shook my head, "The research for the synth AI programs was terminated. However, the development of synth bodies has been continued and merged with research that would allow human minds to be placed into the synth bodies. This could be an excellent option for the terminally ill, handicapped, or dedicated soldiers."

The paladins looked at each other skeptically.

"We've also begun development on new vehicles and power," I smiled. "I know how fond the Brotherhood is of their power armor, so I'm sure you would like to be able to a part of the development of new kinds. Also, if you were to allow them access to a few vertibirds and the Prydwen, I'm sure they could begin outfitting you with better aircraft as well."

"Don't you mean to say that they could begin outfitting you with better aircraft?" Marshal asked pointedly. "If we accept this proposal, our forces and our technology would essentially be yours."

I nodded as I took my seat once again, "That's a fair way of looking at it. But I prefer to look at it as 'we', and not 'I'. Everyone currently under my command has a voice. Any opinion, positive or negative, has a representative that reports to me daily. The Brotherhood would also have a representative. And if anything is bad enough that it cannot be handled as it climbs the chain of common, then I will be the one to handle it. I want those who follow me to know, not feel, that I always have their best interests at heart."

"Your proposals are sound," Serena replied. "However, it does sound more like you're proposing that the Brotherhood essentially becomes an air force and heavy infantry for the Legion while retaining only part of our identity in collecting and safeguarding technology."

"That is partially true," I admitted. I smiled at Serena, knowing she was asking what the paladins were thinking. She always had a knack for getting to the more uncomfortable truths of diplomacy. "Technology simply isn't something you can control or safeguard. Eventually someone, somewhere will develop something whether you want them to or not. The key is for that person to be loyal to the society in which they live so that the developments can be beneficial, and not detrimental."

"Understand that I appreciate the Brotherhood's thought process," I added. "But when it comes to technology, using old technology in a world where technology only ever advances is an unsustainable strategy. I want the Brotherhood to be the ones to find the old technology, work with us to improve it, and be the first ones to use it in the field. My vision for the Brotherhood is that they become the most advanced peace keeping force in the world as part of the Legion."

The paladins remained silent for some time before Cortez tapped the table, "This will be a difficult vision to sell. The Brotherhood is a formidable force, and with all due respect… the Legion is limited in its ability to stop us. I like the proposal and I see the sense in it, but there's nothing concrete we can offer the rest of our organization that would sway enough of the leadership convince them to agree to it."

"You'd like something they can see with their own eyes that might convince them?" I asked cheekily.

Cortez sighed, "I see no other way that might convince them."

I looked at T'Preea with a mischievous grin. She grinned and nodded back to me.

"I'd like you all to follow me, please," I said as I hopped out of my seat.

T'Preea, Malpiaus, Jeff and the Brotherhood delegation followed me as I left the tent. Meirune, who'd been waiting patiently with his deathclaws joined us. I moved through, and out of, the large encampment for several minutes until we were well away from everyone. I stopped at a large open area mostly devoid of any buildings or clutter.

I let everyone stare at the area for several moments before smiling, "Paladin Cortez, am I correct in remembering that the Prydwen flies at approximately three thousand feet?"

The paladin looked down at me suspiciously, "More or less."

I nodded, "Then you should know the reason I have an army."

The ground in the area leapt into the air in the form of a giant hand, easily reaching the height that the Prydwen would normally fly at. Several more titanic hands appeared in the area after that. I turned and snapped my fingers and each massive hand of stone erupted in nuclear fire.

I summoned radioactive light to form wings once again, "I have an army so that I don't scare people into submission. I've found that people would rather be beaten by soldiers than cowed by goddess. If the Brotherhood refuses my offer, I will set the Legion upon you. Believe me when I say that your technological advantage will be nothing compared to our numbers or our tactics."

I absorbed the radiation the explosions had let loose as I stepped up to the paladins and stared at them, "I will rip the Prydwen from the sky and the remaining members on the ground will be forced to surrender or put the sword."

The Brotherhood members all looked horrified, Serena included. My power of nuclear energy was something new even to her.

"Understand, I prefer that we accomplish this alliance peacefully," I smiled brightly. "I want allies who believe in my vision and want to see a united nation, prospering and peaceful. But if a peaceful transition isn't possible…" I cut my eyes to Serena who would understand what I was going to say next more than anyone, "I have no problem killing to accomplish my goals."

"How… How did you do that?" Marshal whispered as he stared at me, fear and awe mixing in his expression.

I smiled up at him, "One of my titles is the Daughter of Atom. Another is the Granddaughter of Mars. Gods and goddesses all command great power, as do their

descendants. I control the very stone beneath your feet, and the radiation that permeates this world. My purpose is to cleanse the radiation poisoning from the world and to bring mankind back to the peaceful, united, prosperous society that I know it can be. The only question you have to answer is; do you want to join me in my efforts, or be one of the footnotes history looks at that tried to stop me?"

The group was too stunned to respond. Their faces were pale with fear.

I sighed and softened my tone, "Understand that I did not want to have to convince you this way. Fear isn't a good motivating force for a sustainable relationship. But I would rather have you afraid now and content with our working relationship later, than defiant now and dead later. Please… do what you can to convince your leadership to submit to us. Because I can't have a rogue organization working at odds with us."

"No," Meirune growled hungrily as he grinned at the Brotherhood members. "Don't convince. Them. I would relish… the chance to… attack. My pack. We would feast."

If my display hadn't horrified the Brotherhood members, Meirune's ability to speak, and what he said, certainly did.

Serena and the paladins promised to do their best to convince the Brotherhood's leadership to submit to the Legion. As promised, we sent samples of uncontaminated water and food with them for inspection. Two days later, the Legion moved in the to Capital Wasteland purposefully. We met some minor raider resistance but towns and settlements were either smart enough, or practical enough, to simply submit to our rule once we arrived. Megaton welcomed us with open arms as its local Church of Atom had been visited by some of our acolytes already.

Each place we arrived at was quickly assimilated into the Legion. We assessed the needs of the location so that we could begin providing for the people. We also figured out the place's average material production so that appropriate taxes could be put in place. I absorbed radiation everywhere we went, as well as repaired the roads and many of the structures. Power stations and churches were built, and over the next few months the Capital Wasteland was set up to prosper the same way the Commonwealth had been.

It was only a few weeks after we had begun our push into the Capital Wasteland that we accepted the surrender of the Brotherhood of Steel. There had been a great deal of resistance from the leadership to accept my terms. Apparently, they hadn't believed what those who had come to our camp had witnessed. In the end, there was an internal power struggle, with those who wished to surrender winning out. Their numbers were bolstered by Brotherhood members who were watching how we were helping the people of the Wasteland and were convinced of our sincerity.

We welcomed the Brotherhood into the Legion with open arms. I renamed the Brothered to the Angeli de Steel and named Serena as their first task was to bring schematics for both the Prydwen and the virtibirds to the Ala Miraculorum so that the engineers there could begin refining the designs and producing superior variants. After that, I had Malpaius and Cortez work to train their troops together so that the Angeli de Steel would understand our tactics and command structure. I also had our command team relocated to the Prydwen so that we could travel faster, while the main Legion force remained in ground vehicles.

The process of integrating the Algeli de Steel into the Legion, and establishing the Capital Wasteland as official Legion territory took nearly six months. The process was becoming smoother, and with more manpower and faster modes of travel, we would be able to streamline it even more as time went on.