Chapter 25, Unexpected Revelation

"Ok, with this meeting called to attention, I ask that every individual remove their helmet as a sign of respect before taking our seats," Elder Lyons called out.

Everyone removed their helmets, but I was too shocked to follow his order. My Dad is alive. How? Why? I watched him die at the Purifier. He fell right in front of me. How did he survive? Why didn't he try to find me? Or did he and I miss him? Maybe he even knew and was trying? I don't know. I can't even think straight anymore at this point. Nothing makes sense to me at this current moment.

"Courier, would you please remove your helmet," Elder Lyons repeated.

Elizabeth elbowed me, snapping me out of the trance.

I felt my hands shake, sweat starting to appear in my hands. I don't know how to respond to this. I felt my throat starting to close with my body shocked down to my core that everything felt hard to move. But I don't want to mess this meeting up. I slowly took off my helmet, every movement feeling like an eternity. Finally, the helmet came off, and my eyes met my Dads. I heard him gasp. Judging by his face,I for sure know he was feeling the same amount of shock I was feeling. I even saw Elder Lyons with the same shock as my Dad had on his face.

"Evan," I hear my Dad break the silence, "Is it… is it really you?"

"Yes. It is," I stuttered out.

Even though I wasn't looking, I could tell everyone was feeling on some level the same thing we were.

"Well this is… unexpected," Elder Lyons expressed, "We all would love to catch up, but our meeting must conclude first."

My Dad and I took our seats, still maintaining eye contact, while murmurs filled the room by what everyone witnessed.

Elder McNamara cleared his throat, "The meeting we have called today is the unification of the D.C. Brotherhood of Steel Chapter and the New Vegas Chapter. After back and forth communication, it is clear that the ways that we have followed for decades are no longer a viable way to continue. With that being presented, it is clear that these last few weeks have been hard to understand and tolerate. Arguments were discussed, Fights have broken out, and even some…drastic injuries have happened. But to ensure the survival of our chapter, we must now follow our brothers in arms in D.C. to secure our future."

"And what future is that? We swore to never reveal our secrets outside and now you're wanting to break tradition because a Courier suggested you do," a man spoke out.

"No. It was not just because of the courier or Evan," Elder McNamara said as he motioned to me, "It is far more than that."

"Well, enlighten us then Elder," the man replied.

"With the long anticipated Battle of Hoover Dam concluded recently, Mr. House has now taken charge of New Vegas and in the last few weeks, he has begun clearing out the remaining Fiends and Caesar's Legion. What he plans to do after is still not fully transparent."

"Really," a woman in the crowd spoke out, "Because it's starting to become common knowledge across the Mojave that both Evan and his companion have been spotted multiple times with Securitions and entering the Lucky 38. Why don't you ask them what his plan is?"

I interjected, "Mr. House's plan is bringing a New Age for Vegas. He wants New Vegas to stay independent and under his control for the time being. That is all we really know. He wanted to wipe out other factions that didn't align with him. We prevented it from happening to everyone here."

"Oh please. We could have handled a couple of robots on wheels," a man in the crowd spoke out in a sarcastic tone.

"Have you seen the firepower they're carrying? They would have blown us to bits or trapped us in this bunker," another man said.

"Then we could die fighting to protect what our founders had given us and told us to guard. Divulging our secrets has never been an option," the man replied.

"You've always been stubborn, Hardin. We have a chance to expand and grow yet you're wanting to stay secluded all for old beliefs that are not benefiting us at all anymore," a woman cried out.

"Oh really. Go ahead and stay a traitor then," Hardin replied, before the rest of the room filled with the noise of arguing.

Elder Lyons slammed a baton on the desk multiple times to silence everyone, "I know this is blasphemy to all of you. I know this first hand. We dealt with this before back in D.C. We had some of our own break away from us and called themselves the Outcasts. And much like some of you here, they were focused on progressing humanity's future technologically. But I ask you, what future is there if there are people not left to continue it?"

Some whispers were heard in the crowd before Lyons continued, "And even if you hoard the technology you have collected, you do not have the manpower like you used to to hold it. Membership here I have been told is at an all time low. So, that technology would be lost to the wasteland, never utilizing its full potential. And everything you worked for will be lost."

The whole room was filled with silence. Some people were looking at each other. It wouldn't be long until a man cleared his throat before speaking.

"How did you manage? It must have taken you a long time to patch things. It would take years to patch something like that up."

Elder Lyons responded, "It took some work, but we finally came to an agreement after just a year of working together. And now we are stronger than we have ever been. WIth the Enclave gone from D.C. and our unification, we have been able to take further strides with Project Purity to allow more easily accessibility of clean water. And our membership has grown exponentially since then. We have almost tripled our size since then and are only getting stronger."

More whispers were heard around the room, but I could hear more positive talk among them than negative this time.

Elder McNamra spoke up, "That is what can lie for us if we fully agree to this. It will not be easy and will take time. Many of you will still be disgruntled and will want to break away to go back to the old ways. But I ask for you to give it some time and some faith as I have. When Evan presented it to me, I struggled and resented it at first to do this. However, with Veronica's help as well as speaking and being convinced by Elder Lyons, this is the best choice we have that we can follow to ensure our future."

The room once again fell silent. Many people were looking at each other, thinking about what to do and if this is the appropriate outcome.

Elder Lyons stood up, "Those in favor or willing to give this a try, I invite you to stand up."

A good chunk of the room stood up with Elizabeth and I soon following. To no surprise, there were still plenty who were still seated.

"Take your seat," Elder Lyons stated, "To those who do not agree, I ask that if you are disgruntled, take some time to think about what we have said."

Elder McNamara continued, "You do not have to leave now. You are still welcomed to stay and ponder. If after some time you cannot agree on this, you are free to leave with no penalties of any kind. We do not want to have anyone leave here feeling there is ill will towards them. We wish you the best in your path. Outside of that, to those who wish to leave for D.C. and work with the chapter there, speak to Elder Lyons. As for the rest of you, today we will begin figuring our affairs in order as well as reorganizing our operations. The D.C. chapter will stay here for the next two days to help assist us in the transition. Aside from that, the meeting is adjourned."

People stood up and either began conversing with each other or left the room. Obviously, the ones who left were the ones who don't fully agree with what transpired today. But I didn't care what they thought about what just happened with the Brotherhood right now. Both My Dad and I got out of our seats, and almost sprinted to each other. We both gave each other the biggest bear hugs of our lives. I could hear him sobbing which made me start to sob in response. After a few minutes we pulled away from each other and he took a good look at me.

"I thought I would never see you again son," he stated.

"Likewise," I replied.

I still can't believe it after all this time he was standing here, in front of me. He looked much older with his beard fully grown out further and his hair much more white and gray than last time I saw him. But here he was. Alive after four years. That begs the question though. How was he alive?

"I have to ask," I said, breaking the silence, "How did you survive? I watched you die in front of me. And why didn't I see you before…before I left?"

My Dad sighs, "It's a very long story. One that I will explain to you as soon as we can have a moment longer together. But right now, I have to help continue to oversee the transition. Tonight hopefully we can discuss more about this."

I wiped more of the tears off my face, "Ok. Then I'll see you tonight."

He smiled before turning away and walked towards Elder Lyons. I felt a tap on my shoulder soon after and as I turned around, I was expecting Elizabeth, but instead I saw Veronica.

"Well, that was unexpected. Seems like you've kept more from me than I realized," she stated.

I scratched the back of my head, "Yeah. I'll tell you another time when it's a bit more…private."

"You shared it with Elizabeth I'm assuming right?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Speaking of that, how are you two? Did you break the ice with her?"

"You mean about asking her out?"

Veronica nodded.

"Yes and much more."

Veronica looked at me puzzled, "Wait, don't tell me. Did you…plant seeds with her?"

I looked at her for a bit, confused about what she meant. Then it hit me immediately.

"What nononono. Not like that. I mean we got closer, emotionally. I know more about her and her past and she knows the full extent about me and my past."

"Ah. So, what is her past, if you don't mind me asking?"

I paused. I feel Elizabeth might do a better job of explaining it to her than me with how complex the whole thing is. Better to come out of the source's mouth than from another.

"I think it's best that she explains it. I would mix it up as it's extremely complicated. But I will say this, ever hear about a place called Rapture?"

Veronica's face filled with confusion, "I think I remember seeing one of our books about it. Though it was more of a myth. Not really much evidence to go off of and it was hundreds of years ago."

"Well. She's from it. I'll leave you with that," I affirmed.

Veronica's face lit up, "What? How is that possible?"

"Ask her when you get a chance. It's quite a bit to unpackage," I retorted.

"I'll raincheck it with her on it."

"Do you know where she is," I asked.

"She's outside the office," Veronica replied.

I walked outside and saw Elizabeth leaned against the wall. She quickly took notice of me and approached.

"You ok?" she asks.

"Yeah. I mean it's…it's a lot to take in. For four years, I thought he was dead and here he is, alive and well. And I just feel so…"

"Elated?"

"Yeah, something like that."

Elizabeth walked up and gave me a hug and then kissed my cheek.

"There's a part of me… in a way that can heal now knowing he's alive," I continued.

"No doubt about that. Did he tell you what happened and where he's been?"

I shook my head, "When he gets a chance, maybe tonight, he will. It looks like he is more directly involved in the Brotherhood now."

"You sound surprised."

"Well kind of. Wasn't expecting him to literally be in the same council as Elder Lyons and Sarah Lyons. That surprises me the most," I replied.

"Four years can change quite a bit. You of all people know that."

She's not wrong. Four years ago I was in D.C. and my Dad and I were still together. Now here we are all these years later and have a lot to catch up on. Hopefully we can tonight.

"You're right about that. Now it's just a matter of waiting for tonight."

"Any ideas to pass the time?"

"Well we have quite a bit of time to pass. Veronica is curious about your past though."

Elizabeth gave me a puzzled look, "Really?"

"Yeah. Maybe once this whole thing dies down, you can tell her?"

She started to fidget with her pinky again and looked down, "I…I don't know if I feel comfortable yet sharing it with others. It took a long time with you just to share it and look how that went."

"Yeah. It's up to you if you want to share it with her. But, I think we can trust Veronica. After all, she did help organize this whole thing to work out. "

She paused, "Will see. You want to just head back, maybe have your Dad meet us there?"

"Good idea. Let me let him know."

I turned around and went back towards the meeting room. As I walked back, I could hear arguing and people clumped together. With how tight the corridors are, no way I can get in through the sea of people. I looked around to see if I could see my Dad for a few minutes, but to no avail. I took notice of Veronica who was also trying to get in and made my way to her.

I tapped her shoulder with her immediately turning around to greet me.

"Can't get in huh," I asked.

Veronica shook her head, "No. It's more packed than a nest of Mole Rats looking for their next meal."

"If you can get in, will you let my Dad know that Elizabeth and I went back to the Lucky 38," I asked.

"Can do."

I nodded before making my way back to Elizabeth. Once I saw her, I motioned her to follow and we headed out of the Bunker. Once we were outside, we made our way back to the Lucky 38.

As we were walking, I could feel my head filling with thoughts of how my Dad survived. It very well could be the hazmat suit he was wearing, but there has to be more. Maybe he knew what he was doing right from the start, so maybe he stockpiled on Rad-X before going into that chamber which is how he could have survived. But if he did that, why didn't he try to give me a heads up? I know him. He would have said something to make sure I didn't get upset. So this couldn't have been planned. Could it?

Before I could ponder further, we entered the Lucky 38 and made our way up the elevator. Once we were inside, I took my helmet, inspected it while feeling my mind drift off again, theorizing further on how he survived. I mean there has to be something I'm missing or it has to be something else. It wouldn't be long until Elizabeth would nudge me.

"Are you in deep thought again," she asked.

"What gave me away," I replied.

"When you're deep in thought, you get this look on your face, like you're staring off into the abyss. And sometimes, you don't blink for a bit."

Huh, I never knew I did that. Now I feel a bit embarrassed I've been doing it.

"Yeah, just still trying to figure out how he survived."

"Isn't it best to just wait for him to tell you rather than drifting off in space, trying to figure out for hours?"

"Yeah. Then again, how else am I going to pass the time?"

The elevator door opened, signaling that we had arrived at our destination as we walked out.

Elizabeth scoffed, "Well…I can think of a few ideas."

I turned to face her, recognizing her smug face, "What ideas did you have in mind?"

"It's more like two ideas."

"Ok, let's hear them."

"Option one, we can just hang out, maybe read some books."

"Sounds like a decent way to spend the evening. Didn't you want to explain a book you were reading to me?"

Elizabeth gave me a puzzled look, "Yes. But… I think I'd be a bit more interested in option two."

I think I know where this is going. She's being facetious and building it up.

"What's option two?"

She put her arms around my neck, "Well, maybe we can spend some one on one time."

I set my helmet on the ground and put my arms around her, pulling her closer, "One on one? What did you have in mind?"

She walked her fingers around my neck, "Well, we can sit down, spend a nice afternoon together, maybe do something much more personal afterwards?"

"Really? What sort of…personal things would you like to do?"

"Well, maybe we can start with telling me what secret you have planned for me?"

I jokingly rolled my eyes, "Oh I see. You're smooth talking me to know the secret?"

"Yes. I really want to know what it is. You're really keeping this under tabs."

Ha. Trying to get me to cave in, I see. Not going to work this time.

I let go of her and started walking into my room, "Ah. I see what you're doing. Sorry Elizabeth, it's a secret. It would ruin the surprise if I told you."

Elizabeth grunted, followed me in and leaned against the door frame, "Ok. So, is it reading books then?"

"Guess so. What about explaining the book you were reading?"

She turned around and walked out of the room, "After I finish it."

I smiled. Guess this is her way of punishing me for not telling her the secret. But it'll be worth it in the end. I know that.

I took my shoes off and sat on the bed. I started to feel my mind drift again, pondering how my Dad survived. I shook my head. Elizabeth's right. Best to not ponder about something that isn't in my control. I reached for my gear, took out what was in there as well as my rifle and revolver. Might as well spend a moment cleaning and organizing things. I took my gear into the kitchen and laid them on the table. I spent some time cleaning my rifle and touching up my revolver as well as reorganizing my ammo. I refilled my magazines and put them back into my bag as well as refilled the bag up with some preserved food and medical supplies. Need to be a bit more ready for whatever next encounter I may have. It wouldn't be long till I heard Elizabeth walk in and knock on the table.

"How is the polishing going," she asked.

"It's going good, just finished."

"Good. Hey, do you think you can show me how to clean my pistol," she says.

"Sure, bring it here."

Elizabeth goes back into her room to grab it then brings it back to me. I started to break apart the pistol until it was just the parts and showed her how to clean it with a rag and some gun cleaner. As I was showing her, I could see the curiosity in her eyes as she was watching me attentively. Once I demonstrated, I had her do a run of it and she did it smoothly for the first time.

"Well, that's impressive. It took me a few times to get it right," I remarked.

She smiled, "It's not too hard. It's not like making a quantum field generator or sculpting a piece of artwork."

"Yeah guess it isn't. On a scale of one to ten, how difficult was it?"

Elizabeth thought about it for a minute, "Three."

"Three? What's a one and what's a ten?"

"Hmm. One is like walking. Ten is more like Escaping Columbia."

"Really," I said, putting the equipment away.

"Yeah. What about you?"

"Eh one is the same. Ten is probably when I went out into the wasteland for the first time."

She gave me a confused look," Seriously?"

"Yeah that was the hardest thing, jumping out into the wasteland for the first time after being in a vault for a long time," I affirmed.

"What about the Battle of Hoover Dam," she inquired.

"Seven maybe," I replied.

She folded her arms, "Seven? That's more like a Nine."

"No it wasn't. We had the Securitrons and the Boomers helping," I retorted.

"Ok then what's a Nine to you," she interrogated.

"Getting out of Rapture as it was collapsing," I answered.

She shook her head, "I completely had that. That's a six at least."

I shrugged, "Eh I didn't know that would have worked for the record."

She paused, "Ok, I'll give you that. But still, I think that was more of a six. You have to admit that after it being weeks since then.

I shrugged again, "Maybe. But I'm going to need a bit more convincing to have that changed."

She stopped again, but then smiled, "You know what, I think I can easily convince you."

"Really? It's going to take quite a bit to change my mind," I stated.

"Oh, I think this will easily change it," she sarcastically declares.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around me and stole my voice from me with her lips. I put my arms around her and guided her to my room as we laid down on the bed. I got on top of her this time and felt my intuition kick in as before. As I reached to lift up her shirt, I heard my Pimpboy start to speak my name. I looked at her with disappointment that it interrupted her convincing me to change my rating. I sat up on the bed to answer.

"Evan, this is Veronica. Were outside the Lucky 38, waiting to enter,." I hear her say.

"OK. I'll be right down."

I got off the bed, "Guess you'll have to convince me another time."

"Oh I will," she replies with a smirk on her face.

Her smile makes me wonder what she has in mind underneath it. Then I thought about what Veronica said earlier, the idea of planting seeds. As I entered the elevator, I shook my head in disbelief. No, I don't think she's going that far. We're not that close. And I don't even want to have kids. Not in this world.

The elevator took me down to the main floor where I exited and opened the door to see both Veronica and my Dad there. Veronica looked the same as before with my Dad standing there without his helmet off. We stared at each other for a few moments before Veronica cleared her throat.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone. I can feel this is getting incredibly awkward with you two just staring at each other."

I shook my head to snap out of my trance, "Yes. Thank you Veronica."

Veronica walked off with just me and my Dad standing there for another moment.

Dad cleared his throat, "I…I never expected you to live in a place like this."

"Yeah, neither did I. It's a long story how this all happened."

"Well, we will have plenty of time. Things have mostly died down among both of the branches for the Brotherhood. At least for tonight."

"That's good. Well, come on inside."

I motioned for Dad to come in as we both entered. I noticed him looking around and scanning the place, struck by what he was witnessing.

"Does anyone use these machines," he asks.

"No. Lucky 38 isn't open to the public. Right now only me and Elizabeth have been allowed to enter and use it."

"Ah. How has Mr. House treated you?"

I pushed the button, "Well enough. It's been a struggle, but we've made it work."

"I see."

We both entered the elevator and waited for it to take us to the Penthouse. Once the door opened, we both entered and I saw Elizabeth standing there, waiting to officially meet Dad.

"Hello. I'm Elizabeth, " she states, extending her hand.

My Dad shakes it, "James. It's a pleasure to meet you. How long have you and Evan been together?"

"Almost three weeks."

"How did you meet?"

Both Elizabeth and I stare at each other before I butt in, "It's a long story."

"Ah. Well hopefully we'll have time tonight to hear it."

"Yes. Hopefully. Anyway, I'll leave you two alone to catch up," she states as she walks off.

My Dad turns his attention to me, "So, where do we want to sit down and talk?"

"We can talk in the living room area over there, "I say as I point to my right.

My Dad nodded as we walked into the room and took a seat across from each other.

He cleared his throat, "I just want to say I am so sorry I didn't let you know sooner what I was planning. I didn't have enough time once the Enclave showed up."

"I figured it had to be you didn't have enough time. But was there even a small opportunity for you to be able to communicate with me through even my Pipboy?"

"Pipboy's can't communicate that far. By the time I got back to Rivet City. You were already miles away. I tried reaching out to you through the Pipboy as soon as I had a chance."

"Ok, so why couldn't you track me down or at least send a search party?"

"There wasn't an opportune time to be able to and to get to the position I am at to even do that, it took time. The Brotherhood needed help and you left as soon as you could. I stepped up to help them as best as I could."

"Alright, what about… "

My Dad cut me off, "I think it's best I start from the beginning. It's as good a start as any."

I nodded and motioned him to begin as leaned back and began his side of the story.