Chapter 28, Peace in Our Time
It wouldn't be long until we took off again after refueling. It's been almost two days just to make the trip there. This was all attributed to us having to refuel since the Vertibirds could only go so far with the fuel it had. Thankfully there were traders that held fuel for the Brotherhood as my Dad revealed yesterday that earlier this year they've started taking longer trips to start expanding the Brotherhood's outreach hoping to find new locations to expand to.
As we took off, I looked from the little round window of the Vertibird, hesitant and pondering what will happen once I arrive in D.C. It really can go anywhere. It could be everyone putting it all under the rug, letting the past be in the past. Or it could be a disaster. Everyone could be giving me glares by me leaving and how it could have prevented something terrible happening. Like the loss of a friend, loved one, or even family member. Whatever the case it would be, I could feel it churning my stomach, making me feel sick. I wasted no hesitation in grabbing Elizabeth's hand, hoping it would help calm my nerves. It helped some, but not as much as I was hoping.
"You alright, " she asked.
"Yeah. Just…still wondering how this is going to go," I replied.
"Let's try to focus on one group at a time. Which one do you think will go the least bad?"
"Let's see…Maybe Doctor Li, Three Dog, or Dogmeat even."
"Ok. Try to focus on how they will react more than the ones you think won't react well with your return," she stated.
That's a good way to view this whole thing. I know Doctor Li won't react too terribly to my return and Three Dog, the Radio DJ there from when I was last there, probably will get a huge story about the whole thing about the Lone Wanderer returning to the Capital Wasteland after four long years. I can even hear his howl at the end of the broadcast proving that it still is ingrained in my head after all these years. Doctor Li, well she'll just greet me, be relieved to see me on some level, and then go back to work. It's a given with her. And when it comes to Dogmeat, he's a dog. He'll just be happy to see me regardless of the past.
Eventually, the horizon started to reveal the Capital Wasteland after all this time. But it was not how I remembered it. I could still see the ruins from before, but I saw makeshift construction sites with most roads being flat and paved over. It was as though civilization was starting to reappear for the first time in centuries after being hidden away for so long. I could see people walking on the road, from traders and explorers commuting on the road, to even makeshift bikes and vehicles driving around them. A reality that only I could dream of was finally becoming a reality.
I felt the Vertibird slowing down as it prepared to land at the Citadel. This was it. Doctor Li was up first. As the rotters slowed down and the main door opened, I felt the familiar breeze of D.C. swept over me, greeting me after so many years I had been gone. I saw in the distance Doctor Li standing, as if she was awaiting our arrival. Her familiar gray hair and brown eyes stared at us attentively. My Dad jumped out first and walked towards her to greet her, but what came next would catch me completely off guard. He embraced her and then shared a short kiss. My Dad and Doctor Li? When did this become a thing? He didn't tell me about this during his recap of the last four years. The more I observed, the more I felt my face create a look of bewilderment as what I was witnessing. I know a lot can happen in four years, but that's a story just waiting to be told to me one day.
Nonetheless, Elizabeth and I got off the Vertibird and grabbed our luggage. Eventually, Doctor Li would walk towards us to greet us and I removed my helmet to meet her face to face.
"It's been a long time Evan," she said.
"Yeah it has. How's the four years been treating you," I replied.
"Good. D.C. has evolved so well over the years. Not only do we have clean water, but also food and a thriving economy despite how barebones it is. But the foundation is set and it will only go up from here. We no longer deal with many raiders and the few we do deal with are too scared to start something. "
"That's good to hear. I'm glad things are turning out well here."
"Yes. I'd love to hear your side, but we can talk later when we have time. I have some work to finish up. It's good to see you after all this time," she concludes, walking away.
As I was expecting. Short and to the point. Everyone else though, that is really up in the air. Amata I think will be the worst with the rest of Vault 101 and then Fawkes being up next. So far, nobody has given me dirty looks. Maybe this won't be as bad as I was expecting.
We continued our walk down the courtyard with the all too familiar sight of Brotherhood of Steel Trainees training on dummies to others learning how to move around in their Power Armor for the first time. I could smell the gunpowder in the air, indicating how many and how long people were training. Lyons was not kidding when he said their recruiting numbers were going up. Maybe this will help convince the few that came with us from New Vegas on the future of the Brotherhood.
We continued our walk forward, down the stairs and into the heart of the Citadel. Eventually, my Dad would catch sight of us and call for us. We followed his call and went into his office. It was your standard office compared to every office I've gone through when scavenging back then, but this one clearly looked much nicer and well kept. I did take notice of the picture of me and Dad on my birthday, with the BB Gun in hand after taking down that cockroach. Seeing that picture again, really shows how long it's been and what's happened in between since that moment. At that age, I would have never fathomed what my future held for me.
"So, this is your office, " I commented.
"Yes. I've been just monitoring the effects of Project Purity as well as have been handling any agricultural issues that arise. I sometimes dip into the economic side of things, but that's for another department. Anyway, I'm sure there's more interesting topics we could discuss."
"Actually yes there is," Elizabeth chimed in, "Do you know where we can find a copy of the U.S. Constitution?"
"What for," he replied.
"Evan and I are hoping that when we go back we can convince Mr. House to go from being an autocracy to being more…republic."
"Do you think it will work, " he asks me.
"Were not fully sure. But we can hopefully plead our case. The U.S. Mr. House witnessed was far more corrupted and was more one sided. Were hoping that by showing him it and pleading our case, we might be able to change his mind, " I replied.
A shocked look appeared on my Dads face, "Mr. House was alive before the bombs dropped?"
"He put his mind into a computer or something along that line. I'm not sure how, but he was there to witness the whole world collapse. And he has no interest in going back to how things were during his time. And we shouldn't. But if we learn from the mistakes from the past, we can look to a better future. One without the problems of the old."
My Dad smiled, "I haven't heard you that optimistic in a long time. I've missed it."
He's right. I haven't been that hopeful and optimistic for the future in a long time. Elizabeth and our time together I think has helped respark that in me. Let's hope it can take us somewhere in the end when it comes to convincing Mr. House.
I smiled, "Yeah. It's been a while since I've been that optimistic too. A year ago I wouldn't have been."
"If you are interested in a copy, I'm sure we can find one and give it to both of you. But first, let me show you around while they take your stuff to our quarters as well as fill you in on what's changed since you were last here," my Dad stated.
Dad led the way while Elizabeth and I followed. He told as well as showed the progress that the Brotherhood has made in the last few years. He took us below deck first where we witnessed the rebirth of Liberty Prime in its shiny new coat of paint. Last time I saw this thing, it was clingy to life as we took back the lab holding Project Purity from the Enclave. But seeing it now, in all its 30+ feet plus glory. Here it was more a fail safe, in case a new conflict arose and it was needed. My Dad said Lyons wanted it to be a symbol more than a weapon. It had seen its use in combat long ago and even here. But to others, he wanted it to be a symbol of hope for what the future of the world would bring.
However, the true highlight was the abundance of food and clean water that Project Purity had brought to the land. Because of this, communities started to sprout up with many people conducting trade with bottle caps as well as providing services such as raising livestock and gardens in service of the Brotherhood. Gone were the days of poverty as we walked through a few gardens that were nearby The Citadel. Crops of corn, potatoes, carrots, apples, and wheat were growing plentiful. Not only that, but we got to see farms being established, breeding Brahmin, Mole Rats, and even Mirelurks. Seeing all this, only proved further just how not only how much power the Brotherhood was gaining, but how well people were thriving in the D.C. Hunger and poverty now is a thing of the past here.
Once our tour of the gardens was over, we took a walk to Rivet City, a city on the boat that I frequented quite often. However, as we entered, I saw in full display how much had improved. Sure it still looked like a rusted out ship, but the floors, walls, and vendors looked extremely clean and well kept more than they were before. The place even smelled much more pleasant but also varied. I could smell the alcohol in the air from the Muddy Rudder Bar to even the pleasant smell of fabric softener from Potomac Attire. Every vendor had lights and even neon signs to help display what they had to offer. Gone were the rickety shelfs and nuclear stained counters from before. What replaced them were almost newly clean shelves, counters, and chests to show just how much the economy of Rivet City was improving. People even were wearing more uptight and cleaned clothes. It wasn't pristine for obvious reasons, but no one was wearing parts of clothes or had anything ragged that clearly was worn in. Everyone was starting to look more well kept instead of trying to survive with what little they could scrounge up.
I took a look at the Muddy Rudder and it too received a well kept upgrade as the others. A much cleaner and polished bar counter adorned the place with bar stools with much better looking seats on them. They still looked worn in, but nothing like before where they had holes in them with the foam being exposed out of them. Overall, Rivet city was a far better town only improving further than it was before.
We then made our way back to The Citadel, after spending most of the day touring the area before the sun started to go down. As we returned, walking through the gates I recognized immediately a Giant Mutant that I have not seen in a long while, conversing with Doctor Li. It was Fawkes there after all this time, standing there waiting to be greeted by me eventually. Doctor Li, as if on cue, pointed in our direction and Fawkes' gaze and mine were met. It took him a minute to realize who I was and once it clicked, he immediately ran over. As he got closer, I could feel the guilt, anguish, and fear swelling up inside of me like a balloon on what would happen.
"IT IS TRUE. IT REALLY IS. YOU'VE RETURNED AFTER SO LONG," he said, walking towards me, with glee written all over his face.
"Yeah it is. Hello Fawkes," I replied, unsure how to continue the conversation.
"HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? DOGMEAT AND I HAD FEARED THE WORSE FOR YOU WHEN YOU LEFT. I DIDN'T THINK YOU WOULD HAVE MADE IT ALONE FOR SO LONG.
"It's been… an interesting road to say the least. Listen about what I said…all those years ago…I…I didn't mean it."
"I UNDERSTAND EVAN. AFTER WE TOOK DOWN THE ENCLAVE AND YOU BEING PUSHED OUT OF THE VAULT YOU GREW UP IN, I UNDERSTAND THAT D.C. WASN'T FOR YOU ANYMORE. I JUST WISHED WE CAME WITH YOU. YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE ALL THE THINGS YOU DID BY YOURSELF."
In retrospect, he's right. Maybe I should have taken both Dogmeat and Fawkes with me. Things might have gone in a different direction or I could have maybe processed my grief better. Thing is, if it's true that the Lutece Twins had to have things happen the way they did, then maybe they couldn't come with me. However, how I yelled at them to leave wasn't ok.
"Still Fawkes, I shouldn't have. I made a hasty decision and shouldn't have treated you and Dogmeat that way. You both deserved better than how I forced you both out of my life. I'm sorry," I stated.
Fawkes set his hand on my shoulder, "IT'S OK. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THIS. HOW ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN? WHERE DID YOU END UP AND WHO IS THIS LOVELY LADY?"
"My travels took me to New Vegas where I spent a few years there as a courier and one thing led to another with it leading me to meeting Elizabeth and basically working as the right hand man of someone named Mr. House who took control of New Vegas and wants to usure in a new future."
"I SEE. IT SEEMS THAT HUMANITY IS STARTING TO GROW BACK NOT JUST HERE BUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. MAKES ME WONDER IF THE REST OF THE WORLD LIKE EUROPE CAN RECOVER ONE DAY. "
"Maybe one day. Anyway, where is Dogmeat? I'd love to see him again."
"OF COURSE. HE'S IN MY ROOM. I'LL TAKE YOU TO HIM."
Fawkes led us to his room in the Citadel where we were greeted with quite the unique room. For a Super Mutant, the place was kept well. I could see two bowls for dogmeat, with the label "Dogmeat" scribbled on them the best way possible. I then saw Dogmeat, laying on a couch and once he caught sight of me, he stood up and stared at me with confusion before jumping off the couch to greet me. He then took one sniff of my hand and immediately his tail wagged in excitement and out of control and he jumped on me, happy to see his owner after so many years.
"Hey buddy. It's been a while," I say as I pet him.
Elizabeth also reached over to give him a pet as we both calmed him down as he got off me.
"He's really happy to see you after all this time," she commented.
"YES. HE AND I HAVE BEEN PALS FOR A LONG TIME, BUT HE ALWAYS MISSED EVAN. THERE WERE TIMES HE WOULD JUST LAY THERE, NOT EVEN WOULD RESPOND TO MY CALLS. BUT ANYWAY, WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU TWO?"
"Well, I'm not sure. I'd imagine we would check in with Dad for dinner tonight. Then get ourselves settled in for tomorrow and what it might bring," I answered.
"OF COURSE. I'LL BE HERE IF YOU NEED ME."
Elizabeth and I left Fawkes' room and as we left, I heard Elizabeth laugh.
"What," I ask, turning around.
I saw that Dogmeat was following us, just like old times.
"He really doesn't want to leave your side again, " she remarks.
I faintly smiled, "Nope he doesn't. Come on Dogmeat."
He barks and trotters forward, eager to find out where we were going.
We eventually made our way back to where my Dad's office was and knocked on the door.
"Come in," I hear him say.
I opened the door and saw him typing away on a terminal. Probably finishing up a log file of some kind.
"Let me wrap this up real quick," he states, motioning us to sit down.
We sat down with Dogmeat going behind Dad's desk to grab what looked like a makeshift chew toy stitched together.
"So, are there any plans for dinner," I state, breaking the silence.
"Yes. We constructed a mess hall downstairs. They are serving green bean casserole tonight I believe with ice cream in a few minutes," he stated.
"Ice cream? I haven't had that in a hot minute," I replied.
"Oh it's good. A lady setup shop in Rivet City and made her own to sell to us. Hard to imagine we'd be seeing a steady supply of ice cream here."
Yeah it's hard to imagine. I can't remember the last time I had ice cream. Not in recent memory, but I think it was on the road trip to New Vegas years ago. Getting a chance to experience it here, fresh is going to be something else.
"Nice. Sounds like a treat."
I paused, contemplating on if I should ask about what I saw earlier with him and Madison.
"What's on your mind son," my Dad says, taking clear notice of my face contemplating.
"How…how long have you and Madison been…together," I bluntly say.
"Oh my. I'm sorry I forgot to share that with you. It's been almost two years. We've…we've been going just steady. Nothing too serious," he answers.
"She's not going to become my…"
He shakes his head, "No, of course not Evan. She could never replace your mother. Though we spent two years together, one on one, something sparked. I assure you, we won't make this uncomfortable with you."
Yeah. The thought of having Doctor Li as my stepmother is something I don't really want to think about. I'm not against my Dad finding new love, I just don't want anyone to replace my mother. I may not have had a chance to meet her, but her role and the sacrifice she made for me, is something I want to never have replaced.
"Ok. Shall we go get some food? I'm pretty damn hungry.," I stated, breaking the ice.
"I'll lead the way," he says as he motions us to follow him.
We followed my Dad, with Dogmeat behind us of course, and made our way to the cafeteria. As we were coming down the stairs, the sheer noise of people conversing alone told me the amount of people that were there. I could see everywhere just regular soldiers to scribes and even scientists gathering food and chatting with each other. We wasted no time in getting in line, eager to eat. As we got closer, I could feel the smell of food filling my nostrils. I could smell chicken, Brahmin Meat, vegetables, and even a green bean casserole. All these options only make me feel more eager to get a taste of it. Once I had gotten a piece of every food there, I followed Dad where he guided us to a table where we sat down and dug in.
Everything tastes superb. Like it was all freshly grown and picked just today. Even the chicken tasted juicy and clean. Probably the most refreshing tasting food I have ever tasted.
Eventually, Doctor Li showed up and sat next to my Dad. Their conversation started off about how their days went, but I was too focused on my food to really focus on the details.
"Seems like things are going in the right direction here. Pretty soon the whole world may look like this one day, " I hear Elizabeth comment.
"Yeah. However, there's going to be resistance. People don't really like change in my experience. And you can bet there was and still is resistance to what the Brotherhood is trying to do here," I replied.
"Right, but it's going in the right direction I mean. It's a nice thing to see that people are trying to rebuild and learn from the past. Who knows, maybe we'll see peace in our time when we get older."
I smiled at that notion. It's possible. We'll have to see how D.C. handle's its expansion and revitalization over time. And see how New Vegas does with the old U.S. Constitution reintegrated.
She leans in, "You know, I've done some thinking. I might be able to help remake the Lutece Device and allow teleportation across the wasteland."
"Really? You think you'd be able to make something like that? What about the parts and technology to make it? Does it still exist," I whispered back.
"It wouldn't be easy. But I think with the notes you have and some time, I could whip something up," she replies.
If Elizabeth can make this, it could change so much. We could commute from New Vegas to D.C. or anywhere else. Maybe even Paris to New Vegas and expand there. The options would be huge for us.
"That could change so much Elizabeth if you can do it. But there has to be a caveat. There always is," I retorted.
She nodded, "Yeah there is. For starters, I'd need the parts to make it. I know for a fact there wouldn't be enough to make more than one right now. Maybe in a decade more could be made. Then it's a matter of putting it all together and making sure it works. And who knows how long that could take."
"Sounds like there's quite a bit of walls in the way to make this a reality. But, if we can get through these hurdles, it could work."
"Yeah. I'll talk with your Dad when I get a chance and we can go from there."
My Dad turns at the mention of his name, "Tell me about what?"
"I have a potential technological idea for the Brotherhood that could change how we travel. Issue is finding subtitle parts for it," she states.
"Really," Doctor Li asks, chiming in, "How good is the technology?"
"Let's talk about it privately later. It's just an idea for right now and I'd rather keep it secret."
They both nodded while we wrapped up our food and headed out to make our way to the office. Once we sat down, my Dad cleared his throat.
"So, while we find a copy of the U.S. Constitution, what else do you plan on doing," my Dad asks.
"Well, not too sure yet. Maybe see more of the area. Maybe see how Megaton is doing."
"Megaton really has done well. We were able to disarm the bomb and take all the parts out of it to use for our armory. Since then they were able to rebuild the walkways and the place looks far less run down than before. What about Vault 101? You should see Amata again. They've really begun their own trade network in a way. I see her from time to time here."
I felt half of my body froze on the mention of Amata. How would she react to seeing me? After all this time? How would she react to seeing Elizabeth?
I scratched the back of my head, "Are you sure that's smart? I'm sure she told you how the last time I spoke to her went."
Dad nodded, "Yes I am aware. But it's been four years and I am sure she does not hold a grudge on the whole thing. You should go see her when you can."
I guess it wouldn't hurt. However, I'll keep my guard up. It's the residents then I should be more worried about. I guarantee they are still not over what happened and the damage my father and I caused years ago. People can hold grudges for quite a while.
I stood up, "Ok. I'll make a note of doing it then. Well, Elizabeth and I should get our room setup."
"Of course. I'll take you to where it's at," he says, motioning me out the door.
We followed him to where our room was, with all our suitcases there. It was one bedroom with a bunk bed, suitcase rack, and a desk with a radio on it. That was about it. Nothing special aside from the somewhat fresh blue paint on the wall.
"Well as far as hotels go, at least there aren't any roaches," Elizabeth remarked.
"Yeah it's not much of a guest room. It is what it is until we get a proper expansion setup. By then, we'd be better off moving to a whole new location at that point. Well I'll leave you two to it. Breakfast is open at 8 tomorrow morning," he stated.
"Got it. Thank you. See you tomorrow morning Dad."
He nodded as he left the room, leaving me and Elizabeth alone.
"Alone at last. Finally," she says as she falls on the bed.
"Yeah. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. We still have others nearby."
She shot me a coy smile, "I know. "
I smiled back at her before getting back to the task at hand. I unpacked everything, as best as I could given the space and grabbed a change of clothes as well as my toiletries to take to the bathroom across the hall to get ready. Then we switched places as I went back into my room to get under the covers. Elizabeth would soon come in, wearing her pajamas and join me.
"Are you ready for tomorrow," she asks.
"Ready as I can be. I'm more worried about meeting the residents of Vault 101."
"And Amata," she asks.
"Yup. She'll most definitely be there. It's everyone there I'm worried about seeing after all this time."
She paused, "I think you should do this alone."
I shot a confused look at her, "What do you mean?"
She took a breath, "I feel…I feel this is a demon you need to confront yourself. Maybe try taking Fawkes with you and Dogmeat. Besides, it can give me some time tomorrow to talk with your Dad and Doctor Li about rebuilding the Lutece Device. Maybe start tracking down the location of where the parts are."
She might be right. I'd rather her be there with me in confronting this, but this might be something I have to face alone. Besides, it could make it awkward with the two of them meeting the first time with skeletons in our closets.
"Alright. I'll…I'll give it a shot then. Hopefully you can get the parts together on the Lutece Device."
She kissed my cheek, "You'll be fine. You've survived worse over the years and a lot longer than I have."
I closed my eyes, feeling Elizabeth's embrace as I fell asleep, awaiting what tomorrow would bring.
I was woken up to the familiar voice of an old friend. A voice I haven't heard since I was last here in D.C.
"Gooooooooooood morning D.C. this is your radioman of the hour Three Dog owwwwww, ready to give you some exciting news," the familiar voice said.
Looks like Three Dog is still doing his radio show after all this time. That's not surprising to me in the slightest given his charisma. I wonder if he's been able to expand his outreach beyond D.C.
"If you are a long time listener on this radio, you'll know the story of James from the Brotherhood and his child, the Lone Wanderer Evan, and how they helped pave the way to what we have now. Well here is an unexpected news story about the two. After four long years, Evan's fate has finally been revealed. And no, for all our doom and gloom listeners out there, he's not dead. He's alive and well. And, he's here, in D.C. seeing the progress that we have made. If you're listening Evan, come on by. I'd love to catch up and see how you're doing. Especially that beautiful brunette you've been carrying around that I've heard about. Until next time, this is Three Dog, and you're listening to Galaxy News Radio, Bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts."
I heard Elizabeth groan, "Seriously? Even in rebuilding civilization, people still don't have manners?"
"That's just how he is. He's appealing to his viewers and if anything it's more of a complement rather than a flirty move," I replied.
She rolled her eyes before getting out of bed and getting some clothes to change into in the bathroom.
Well, word is out now of my return to D.C. Now it's only a matter of time till everyone else knows. Especially Amata. Guess it's also time to see Three Dog and check in with him. Then Amata soon after.