Fallout: Rise of the Lone Wanderer: Book One

by M. P. Pubs

  Marcus stared into the eyes of the dying engineering, and he could tell that though he was afraid, the man had made peace with the situation. It broke Marcus' heart, for in the few days he worked with Garza, he had grown to like him. The sound of compressed air got everyone's attention, and to their horror, sparks began coming through the top of the blast doors. The Enclave were using a plasma torch to cut their way through. Charon handed the laser pistol he had looted from the dead soldier to Garza, then he dragged a frantic and screaming Doctor Li towards the next tunnel. Marcus removed a frag grenade from his belt, placed it in Garza's right hand, and pulled the pin. "Keep holding it like this."

  Garza nervously nodded his head. "Keep them safe."

  Marcus nodded, then headed down the tunnel. Garza had positioned himself behind a pile of old sandbags, and he tried his best to control his breathing. He clutched the live grenade close to his chest, and took aim with the laser pistol. If he was going to go, he was going to take some of these bastards with him.

  The doors were pried open, and Garza opened fire. The first couple of shots went wide, but he quickly adjusted his fire, and scored a hit on the arm of one of the Enclave soldiers. A laser blast struck Garza in his left soldier, and he cried out in pain, but he kept firing. Captain Jones took aim with her plasma pistol and fired a round into Garza's head, killing him instantly. The soldiers moved into the central chamber, and Jones stood in front of the tunnel that the remaining group had just ran down. One her soldiers went over to the dead body and reached down.

  Jones lunged forward. "Don't touch him..."

  Too late. The soldier rolled Garza's corps on it's back, and the live grenade rolled out of his hand. The explosion sent shrapnel through the soldier's power armor and into his chest, killing him instantly. Jones was knocked on her feet, but aside from some ringing in her ears, so was alright. "I want their heads!" she shrieked.

  The explosion was heard by the rest of the group, and they all stopped for a moment as they realized what it meant: Garza was dead.

  Madison looked down at the ground, tears beginning to fill her eyes. "He's...he's gone. We left him to die. How could we do that?"

  Doctor Dargon placed his hand on Madison's shoulder. "He gave his life for us; that has to count for something."

  Madison weakly nodded. Charon slapped a fresh ammo well into his shotgun. "How much further?"

  "We're almost there." Madison said. "There should be a blast door at the end of this tunnel."

  As quickly as their exhausted bodies could carry them, they had finally made it to another set of large blast doors. Madison began typing on a console. "I just hope they haven't changed the code. It's been a long time."

  Her answer came when the door opened, and they were greeted by three Brotherhood of Steel Knights, standing behind sandbags in a make-shift guard post. One of them was holding a Gatling Laser, and he was obviously shocked that someone had managed to open the doors. "Halt! Identify yourselves!"

  "We don't have time to explain!" Madison shouted. "The Enclave is right behind us!"

  Though no one could see past their helmets, the BOS Knights were dumbfounded by her statement. "The Enclave? Here? Lady, you must be..."

  "HERE THEY COME!" Charon yelled, and everyone ran through the door, just as laser and plasma fire flew down the tunnel.

  The confused BOS Knights readied their weapons, not sure of who or what they were about to face. A moment later, Captain Jones and what remained of Alpha team appeared in the doorway. For a brief moment both sides stood their in utter disbelief, and it was clear to Marcus that while these two groups knew each other, neither side expected to actually be facing the other. Captain Jones raised her pistol. "Fire!"

  The head Brotherhood Knight was quicker on the trigger, and he unleashed a deadly stream of laser fire from his gatling laser, cutting the Enclave soldier next to Jones in half. Jones continued to fire, and a plasma round struck another BOS Knight in the arm, causing him to drop his laser rifle. The fire from the BOS Knights was too intense, and Jones watched as another of her soldiers was cut down. Having now lost half her men, and not being prepared to face the Brotherhood, she had little choice.

  "Retreat! Fall back to the Purifier!"

  Alpha team quickly reteated back down the tunnel. One of the BOS Knights ran over to the control panel and sealed the doors. Everyone took a moment to catch their breaths.

  "Jesus Christ!" The Head Knight said. "You're right; it was the Enclave." He looked over at his wounded soldier. "Are you alright, Simins?"

  The BOS soldier was holding her arm. "I'll be alright, sir."

  The head Knight turned to Madison. "Who are you, again?"

  "My name is Doctor Madison Li, and it's imperative that I speak to Elder Lyons. Please, he has to know about this."

  "No argument here. Simins, take these people to the Citadel and get that arm looked at."

  Simins protested. "I'm fine sir; you'll need me if the Enclave comes back..."

  "You have your orders, Paladin."

  Simins sighed. "Yes, sir."

  The Knight turned to Madison. "I'll radio ahead to the Citadel and let them know you're coming."

  Madison was grateful. "Thank you."

  The small group of survivors climbed the ladder to the surface, where sunlight and fresh air greeted them. They found themselves in front of the old Pentagon, which had three of it's five outer rings blow out during the Great War. As they made their way to the Citadel's entrance, Marcus took a moment to look out across the Potomac River. He could see more of the Enclave's aircraft landing at the Jefferson Memorial. The hate and anger that he had pushed down in order to save the scientist, was now coming back. As he stood there, Charon walked up beside him. "Don't worry, kid. We'll get it back, I promise."

  Marcus' gaze never left the memorial. "We're going to do more than that, Charon." He growled. "We're going to kill them all!"

  Chapter 20: Brotherhood of Steel

  Marcus stood in the courtyard of the former Pentagon, now known as the Citadel, along with Charon, Dr. Li, and what was left of her team. Though three of it's five rings had been destroyed during the Great War, there was still enough of the old building intact to make it a formidable fortress. Marcus could see Brotherhood Knights standing on the walls, armed with Gatling lasers and manning .50 caliber machine guns. The courtyard served as a training area, where dozens of recruits were practicing shooting, sparing, exercises and conducted drills. In the center of all of this, Marcus could see Sarah Lyons approaching them, along with a much older man adorned in a blue robe. Once they had crossed the courtyard, the man stepped up to Dr. Li. "Madison, I'm surprised to see you, what's wrong?"

  Madison stared daggers at the old man. "Don't talk down to me, Lyons. I had nowhere else to turn. You must help us. Project Purity has been overrun."

  Lyons stepped closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Madison. You're safe now. Tell me what has happened."

  Madison took a deep breath. "The Enclave. They've attacked Project Purity. James is dead... there may be more. I don't know. You have to do something!"

  "Yes, I have heard of the encounter with the Enclave troops in the tunnels."

  "Then do something now! They've taken over the purifier. Lyons, they cannot be permitted to have control over it. It's not right!"

  Lyons maintained his calm demeanor. "I'm sorry about James, he was a good man. But Madison, we both know the Purifier doesn't work; it's useless to the Enclave. Perhapes...it's time to walk away."

  Madison shook her head. "That's not true. James... He found what's been missing. We know how to get it running."

  Lyons removed his hand from Madison's shoulder, and for the first time, he showed signs of concern. "So James finally did it? Does the Enclave know how to activate it?"

  "No, I don't think... I don't know. I just don't know what's happening anymore."

  For the first time, Lyons looked over at Marcus. "And this is James' son? I can see the resemblance
."

  "Yes. He knows what we need. Vault-Tec computer, something to locate equipment. Please help him. He..." The strain of everything had finally proven too much, and Madison nearly fainted. If not for Elder Lyons grabbing her at the last second, the Doctor would've collapsed completely.

  Lyons waved the medics over. "Take her down to medical and see that she is well cared for." He turned back to Madison. "You'll be alright, Madison."

  The Doctor could barely speak. "I'm sorry...I...need, to rest."

  Marcus watched as the medics lead her from the courtyard, with Doctor Dargon following. Elder Lyons approached him. "You have my condolences. Your father was a good man."

  Marcus could only nod his head. This Elder Lyons looked and sounded like someone out of a history book. "You're the leader of the Brotherhood?"

  "I am Owyn Lyons, the Elder of this chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel. I believe you know my daughter, Sentinel Sarah Lyons. She told me of your actions at the seige of GNR; very impressive."

  Sarah bowed her head and Marcus could see the hint of a grin on her face. "So you've faced this Enclave before? Who are they?"

  Lyons took a deep breath. "The Enclave are the remnants of the old United States Government, but instead of upholding the ideals of freedom and democracy, they seek only to conquer and enslave. Back then they were led by a President Richardson, and they had tech and firepower superior to our own. The Brotherhood, along with our ally the New California Republic, fought a bitter war against the Enclave for many years. We were victorious, and we believed that they had been wiped out, but now it appears that was not the case. The fact that they are here, this far east is most troubling. Now, as before, they seek to control and destroy, all in the guise of restoring order. Your father, I fear, was just the beginning."

  Marcus had to struggle to control his voice as he asked his next question. "But why did they kill my father? What do they want with Project Purity?"

  The Elder could see the hurt in the young man's eyes. "It's quite simple, really. If the Enclave can get the purifier working, they will be able to control the flow of precious fresh water throughout the Capital Wasteland. Every man, woman and child will be forced to bend to their will."

  Marcus' blood began to boil as the realization of what the Elder was saying sunk in. With the purifier under their control, the Enclave could conquer the entire Capital without firing a shot. Marcus balled his fist as he tried to control his rage. These bastards were not going to pervert his father's dream. "If you're planning to fight the Enclave then I want in! I know how we can get the purifier running. My father talked about a Garden of Eden Creation Kit, or G.E.C.K. He said some of the Vaults were issued one."

  Lyons crossed his arms and rubbed his chin as he pondered what Marcus had said. "Yes, given the circumstances I believe you would be a great help in this fight." He turned to his daughter. "Sarah, take our young friend here down to the lab to speak with Scribe Rothchild. He might have information that will lead us to the GECK."

  Sarah turned and faced her father. "Father, with all due respects, if what he is saying is true, then there is no time to waste. We have to hit the Enclave at the Purifier now, before they have a chance to dig in."

  Elder Lyons could not help but grin at his daughter's determination. While it made the old man proud, it also scared him at times. "Oh, Sarah. My dear, sweet girl. So eager you are to rush headlong into battle. But no, not now. Not yet. Our time will come, fear not."

  Sarah glanced over at Marcus for a moment and began to blush. She hated when her father spoke to her like she was still a child. "If we hit them now, before they can consolidate their forces, we can end this with one blow."

  "I will not send you, the Pride, or any other soldier into battle without gathering proper intel on our enemy. Even if we take the purifier, what then? It is useless unless Marcus can figure out a way for us to active it. I'm sorry, but we will have to wait."

  Sarah sighed in defeat. "Yes, Father." She turned to Marcus. "Come on."

  Marcus and Charon followed her across the courtyard, until she reached a steel door leading into the Citadel's Lab. While Sarah punched in the access code, three BOS soldiers approached, and stood between Marcus and the door. "You're friend's going to have to wait out here." one of the soldiers said.

  Marcus looked over at Charon. "Why?"

  Another soldier, a rather tall one with a buzz cut, took a step closer until he was inches from Marcus. "Because zombies are not allowed inside the Citadel."

  Marcus stood toe to toe with the soldier, a mixture of anger and utter shock building up inside him. After everything he had been through, he had no patience for anyone this ignorant. "Well if my friend's not good enough for your little clubhouse then I guess I'm not either." He turned to leave.

  "Hold on!" Sarah yelled. She approached the offending soldier and stared him down. "Paladin Tristan, is there a problem?"

  The Paladin stood at attention. "With all due respect, Sentinel, I don't believe it's wise to allow a mutant to have access to our headquarters."

  Sarah looked over at the two companions, then stared daggers at Tristan. "Well Paladin, these two just faced down an entire squad of Enclave troopers." She stepped closer until she was nose to nose with the Paladin. "What have you done today?"

  Tristan remained silent. Marcus had to struggle to contain his laughter.

  "These men are guest of my father, Tristan. I think we can make an exception."

  Paladin Tristan tensed up. "Sentinel I must protest..."

  "Noted! You are dismissed."

  Tristan stepped back and grudgingly saluted. "Yes, Sentinel."

  Sarah returned his salute, and the three soldiers walked away. "Don't mind, Tristan." she said as she opened the door. "He can be an asshole, but he's actually a great humanitarian in a firefight."

  They stepped through the door and headed down a flight of stairs. Sarah slowed down and turned to Marcus. "I'm...sorry about your father. I didn't know him, but everyone says he was a good man."

  Marcus' voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

  Sarah could see the strain on the Wanderer, and she stopped halfway down the stairwell. "Listen, no one's going to hold it against you if you want to take a break. We have extra bunks in the B ring. You could get cleaned up, rest, get some chow."

  Marcus placed his right hand on his forehead and began to rub it. He was emotionally and physically drained, and he didn't realize just how much until that moment. He shut his eyes, and the image of his father dying at Project Purity gave him new found determination. "I...I'll be alright. You're father told me to speak to a man named Rothchild?"

  Sarah nodded. "Alright. The lab is this way."

  They made it to the bottom of the stairwell, and Marcus stood in awe at what he saw. The lab inside the Citadel rivaled Dr. Li's in Rivet City, but what Marcus was fixed on was the 40 foot tall, steel robot standing in the middle of the lab. The massive machine reminded Marcus of the cartoon character "The Iron Giant", only this looked much more menacing.

  "Wow, that's a big fuck'n robot."

  Sarah looked at the robot and nodded. "Yeah - too bad we can't get the damn thing to work." She continued down the catwalk, and Marcus followed her to the main floor of the lab. Once there, Sarah pointed to a tall balding man in a red robe, who was busy yelling instructions. "Do not throw that tech around!" He yelled at two younger Scribes, who had just tossed a piece of Enclave power armor on a table. "That equipment is worth more then both of you! Bring the rest of it in here and for God's sake be careful!"

  The two Scribes quickly scurried away. Sarah turned to Marcus. "That's Rothchild, our Head Scribe. As you can see, he takes his job very seriously. Well, this is where I'll leave you. If you have a moment, come find me in the Lyon's Den; it's our lounge located in the A ring."

  Marcus thanked her and the Sentinel walked off. He and Charon approached the irritated head Scribe. "Mr. Rothchild?"

  Rothchild turned around. "Yes...oh, you
must be James' son, Marcus. You have my condolences. I worked with your father many years ago on Project Purity. He was a brilliant scientist. The world has truly lost a great mind."

  Marcus thanked Rothchild, and while he could hear the sincerity in the man's voice, a part of him was getting tired of people reminding him of what happened.

  "Elder Lyons informs me that James figured out how to get Project Purity up and running. Is this true?"

  "Yes. He told me we need a GECK."

  Rothchild's eyes widened. "A GECK! Why...we never thought of that but, yes that could work! One of the most successful settlements out west, Vault City, was created with a GECK."

  "My father said several Vaults were issued a GECK just before the war."

  Rothchild began walking towards a large, digital map that was mounted on the wall. "That is correct. We know the location of every Vault in the Capital Wasteland." Rothchild typed on the large map's control panel, and the map showed several Vaults scattered throughout the Waste. Marcus immediately recognized Vaults 101, 106 and 112, but there were a few he had never seen before. "I've been to these three," Marcus pointed to the Vaults on the map, "but not the others."

  Rothchild was impressed. "Hu. I guess the title 'Wanderer' does fit you. That narrows it down to Vaults 87, 92 and 108. We have records on all three Vaults in the archives room; I will send word to Scribe Jameson to allow you access to them. Once you have found what you are looking for, come back here and find me."

  Marcus nodded and headed for the archives. It didn't matter how tired he was, he was going to find this GECK. And when he did, he was going to shove it down the Enclave's throat.

  * * *

  Captain Samantha Jones stood at attention before the leader of the Enclave, President John Henry Eden.

  "Now, let me see if I have all the facts here, Captain. We managed to secure Project Purity, but in doing so the project's leader was not only killed, but he was allowed to sabotage the project, causing significant damage to the facility."