"And with Salt Upon Wounds' defeat, The Dead Horse and Sorrows tribes were finally free from the threat of the Legion," Jaune said before he leaned back in his chair. I simply nodded, taking a sip of my tea before giving him a small smile. The last few hours had been a pleasant time, listening to my old student speak of his time in the Mojave.
"Not long after I bid my final goodbye to the two tribes and the men aiding them," Jaune said before he retreived a stetson from his pip boy. "This was one of the gifts they gave me for my efforts, it's the same hat that Daniel wore during his time in Zion." Jaune gained a nostalgic look as he returned the hat to his pip boy.
"And the other gifts?" I inquired, one of my brows raised in curiosity.
"Most of them were weapons or clothing, so they're in the armory back in Vegas, but I do carry one other thing with me," Jaune said before he pulled a thick book from his belt.
"A Bible, a well-kept one at that," I said, narrowing my eyes at the book in my apprentice's hand.
"I'd read the scripture from time to time, it's an interesting tale of creation," Jaune said.
"I assume your world has its own mythos?" I commented.
"Yes, though the Tale of the Two Brothers is rather short when compared to the long tales in the scripture," Jaune said as he latched the bible back into his belt.
"Anyway, I had one last talk with Joshua Gra..." Jaune stopped talking as something began buzzing. His eyes turned from calm blue to a furious sapphire before he grabbed a small radio-like device from his belt. "Sorry, I have to take this," he said with a solemn tone before standing up. I just raised my hand in understanding, knowing that there lie responsibilities in leading a nation that one can't ignore.
"What is it?" he heard Jaune asked as he walked to the other room. I leaned closer, resting my hand against my chin as I did so. "What do you mean he's gone?!" Jaune's voice raised in anger with each word. I couldn't hear a word from the other end, but I could still hear Jaune's side. "His mind is gone, jumping from network to network!" Jaune said, his tone growing more tense. "I'll be there, give me a few minutes." I heard my apprentice say before he returned to the kitchen. He didn't say a word as he sat door and drank his cup of tea in one gulp.
"Someone escaped?" I inquired. Jaune didn't answer, only running his hand along the bridge of his nose. "I believe that cuts our reunion short, a shame but I understand," I said.
"It's House, his mind is somewhere on the internet and I would rather he stay within arm's reach," Jaune said.
"House, as in the old king of New Vegas Robert House?" I asked, my brow raised as my hand ran through my beard.
"The very same," Jaune answered.
"So, you didn't kill him like the rumors say you did," I stated, earning a short nod from Jaune.
"No, we still have his body in stasis, but who knows what he could do with the combined internet of both the Wasteland and Remnant," Jaune said.
"Ah, well, no point in delaying you, we can continue our reunion at a later date." I try not to let the rising disappointment show as I stand up.
"Two things first, before I go," Jaune said as he held his hand out.
"And what is more important than your manhunt?" I inquired.
"Old Memories, and something special to give you," Jaune said as he kept his hand out.
"You want me to take your hand?" I asked. Jaune just nodded. Out of curiosity, I accepted, taking hold of his hand before I saw a faint glow envelope his hand.
"For it is with Courage and Valor that we achieve immortality." I hear my student begin, as the glow travels from his hand and washes over my very being.
Sighing to herself as she stepped into the same class once again. Pyrrha gave quick glances, allowing her to see many of her fellow students bore similar expressions as they walked into class. Each day within this room brought new experiences, ones that opened eyes to a horrid fact of life. Every day, they would step into this classroom, and listen to the history of their new neighbors.
Some of the stories were rather interesting; The man named Harold who had lived through it all and walked from coast to coast with a tree growing out of his head. Tandy, a woman who lived to be over a hundred years old and led the NCR during its founding days. How the ideals of one Elder Lyons would lead to the founding of the ROC and the shockwaves created by his decisions. Tales of how the STN was forged, not by the conflict over a great dam, but by the charisma of Six and the efforts of reformist policies in the NCR. Even the slow resurgence of the Minutemen in the Commonwealth and the issues they faced to forge it into a proper nation.
Yet for all the good they would hear, it was matched by atrocities nearly tenfold. Super Mutants, The Enclave, The Legion, The Big MT, The Institute, all of it just grated on her. Yes, much of it was now in the past, vanquished by great figures in Wasteland history. Yet, the fact that such things were done by people, not something like the Grimm. Even the Super Mutants were products of human hands, even their great "Master" of the West Coast was human at one point.
She hoped, that she would never have to set foot on the wasteland's shores.
As the last student filed in Pyrrha took a deep breath as The Storyteller stood up.
"Hello once again everyone, we're almost finished with our week of history." The Storyteller greeted in his usual chipper tone. Many in the class nodded, though some held a nervous glance. "Now, for the first part of class, I want some of you to name notable figures in Wasteland history." The Storyteller stated, looking out at the class. Pyrrha raised her hand, wishing to still participate in class despite her gripes with the subject.
"Yes, miss Sustrai." The Storyteller said, gesturing to the Minstrali Student.
"The Vault Dweller," Emerald said.
"Good, now Winchester." The Storyteller turned his head to the other side of the class.
"Uh... The General..." Cardin trailed off.
"Which General Mister Winchester?" The Storyteller inquired.
"The General of the Minutemen," Cardin said.
"Close, keep in mind his name is Nate." The Storyteller said.
"But..." Cardin protested.
"No one ever wrote down the name of the Vault Dweller, his records were scrubbed and none of his descendants remember his name, Nate is still alive today." The Storyteller explained. Cardin just grumbled before leaning back in his chair. "Now, Miss Nikos?" The Storyteller was now looking at her.
"Courier Six." She said, before catching herself. She saw the Storyteller nod before moving on to the next student, yet she could no longer hear him.
Courier Six, ever since the first class Weiss had been insistent on one strong point. She said that Six was Jaune, but he couldn't be...
He couldn't.
Jaune disappeared months ago, Six has been in the Wasteland for years. Jaune... he was their leader, if he was Six, he would have sent a message. He wouldn't just leave them in the dark, not if he was Six. Sure, that sword on Six's looked like Cocrea Mors and they both had blond hair, but Six couldn't be Jaune.
He couldn't be.
Gazing at the mirror in front of him, Wilhelm carefully sunk his artificial eye back into the empty socket. Blinking a few times to ensure the eye sat properly in place, he smiled as his vision returned to a proper twenty-twenty. He let out a short breath before adjusting his collar and turning to leave. This had been part of his routine ever since the journey had begun. With a proper guide in the form of Mary and the ROC, they could now travel the Wasteland without the risks of radiation or disease tearing through the crew. However, he did send a message back to Atlas, instructing them to start developing their own radiation scanners and specialized filters for any future travels deeper into the Wasteland.
Calmly, he made his way to the bridge of the ship. Giving a kirt nod to the soldiers and crew manning the bridge. He stopped next to the main pilot, his gaze turning to the holographic display taking up part of the bridge. Both Atlas Cruisers held the center of the display, with the three ROC airships scattered around the two cruisers. He was still unsure how the Airships could keep up with the Then Wilhelm saw something nearing the edge of the display, It was another airship, with several smaller craft flying around it. The comms lit up, causing Wilhelm to turn towards the communications officer.
"It's Mary sir," The officer answered Wilhelm's unspoken question.
"Put her on," Wilhelm said calmly, straightening his shoulders in preparation. He approached the comms, looking over the officer's shoulder.
The holo screen lit up, showing Mary's face near it. "We've got company, one Brotherhood Airship with a small group of vertibirds already in the air." She said.
"Do you believe they'll be willing to talk first?" Wilhelm inquired.
"Perhaps, just don't let them on your ships, keep the conversation to comms," Mary advised.
"Understood, how long until contact?" Wilhelm inquired.
"Any moment now, be ready," Mary replied.
Wilhelm gave a quick nod before looking out to the bridge. He spoke no words, only looking out at the loyal men and women under his command. No one spoke, only waiting before the comms beeped once more.
"Contact, Brotherhood of Steel Airship." The Comms officer confirmed.
"Put them through," Wilhelm instructed, his eyes narrowing as the officer followed suit.
"Attention ROC and Unknown Airships, you are entering Brotherhood of Steel territory, state your business or turn back." was the first thing that came out of the comms.
"This is Specialist Wilhelm of the Atlesian Military, we are here to meet with the High Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel," Wilhelm spoke firmly.
For a moment they had no response, Wilhelm clenched his fist as he waited.
"Awaiting confirmation, please hold position." was the response from the Brotherhood officer.
Silence reigned once more.
"Atlesian Cruisers an airship is on its way to escort you to the main territory, all ROC ships are to remain three miles behind the Atlesian Cruisers while in Brotherhood territory." The Brotherhood officer instructed before ending the transmission.
"Can we trust them?" Wilhelm inquired, looking over to Mary's still active screen.
"So far yes, the requirements aren't anything we haven't seen before while traveling through Brotherhood territory," Mary answered.
"You've done this before?" Wilhelm inquired.
"A few times, the Brotherhood isn't exactly eager to start a war right now," Mary said.
"Now?!" Wilhelm inquired, his brow now narrowed at Mary's face on the screen.
"If they were to start a war with one of us, they'd have to fight all of us." Mary calmly explained.
Wilhelm ran a hand over his face before he looked back at the screen. "Will This Arthur Maxon truly be willing to negotiate?" he asked in a tired tone.
"He'll act as an aggressor, but so long as you keep your composure and don't try threatening the Brotherhood he'll be willing to listen," Mary advised.
"Don't threaten him?" Wilhelm questioned.
"The moment he perceives something as a threat to the Brotherhood he'll ignore all outside influence and push to fight them," Mary said.
"And none of you threatened him?" Wilhelm inquired.
"We made sure the Brotherhood knows what happens if they try to fight us, we haven't gone out of our way to try to destroy them," Mary explained, crossing her arms on the screen. 'Besides, there's a good portion of the Brotherhood who aren't overly hostile xenophobes." Mary commented. Wilhelm didn't argue, understanding her point but still frowning at the situation.
His eyes turned to the display, the Vertibirds were no longer flying around the first Airship while a second Airship was now on the display. "Attention Atlesian Cruisers, this is The Brotherhood Airship Damocles, please follow us." The Comms officer let them through without Wilhelm even needing to instruct him. He gave another look out to the bridge, his crew nodding as the Cruiser began to move. He could see the ROC Airships remaining still, waiting for them to move far enough ahead.
He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what may come next.
