by M. P. Pubs
"What's the story with the giant robot in the lab?"
"His name is "Liberty Prime." Very patriotic. Built by a very proud nation, during a very desperate time. It was built by the United States Army to be used during the Liberation of Anchorage Alaska. Unfortunately, they were never able to solve the problem of powering it."
Marcus remembered hearing about the Liberation of Anchorage in history class. Communist Chinese forces had invaded and occupied Anchorage, which touched off the Sino-American War. American forces eventually liberated the city, but suffered heavy casualties.
"The meeting is about to start," Lyons said, "and I would like for you to join us, but I'm afraid your friend will have to wait out here."
Marcus looked over at his friend, who was standing quietly behind him. He turned back to the Elder. "Is there a particular reason a ghoul is not allowed inside?"
The Elder was clearly taken aback by Marcus' question. "It's not that. This is a highly classified meeting, only high ranking members of the Brotherhood are allowed to attend. The only reason you are being asked to join us is because of your knowledge of the Purifier...and because we have an important mission to discuss. I am sorry, but that is the way it has to be."
Marcus listened to the Elder and studied his facial expressions. He did not detect any malice, and the eldery man sounded sincere. Marcus looked over at Charon. "Are you going to be alright?"
Charon nodded. "I'll be fine." A small grin appeared on the ghoul's face. "Maybe I'll make a few friends while I'm waiting."
Marcus laughed. "Just stay out of trouble."
The Elder led Marcus into the Great Hall. Inside was a large round table, and several of the Knights and Scribes were already seated. Marcus recognized Scribe Rothchild, Sarah Lyons, Paladin Varges, and (to his dismay) Paladin Tristan. The scene reminded Marcus of the old stories of Camelot.
When the Elder walked in, someone yelled: Attention!, and everyone stood up. Owyn Lyons approached his seat, and Marcus made his way over to an empty one at the other end. The Elder raised is hands. "Let us pray." Everyone bowed their heads. Marcus, who had never attended any kind of religious service, stood in silence; unsure of what to do.
"May the Creator give us strength in these dark times, and the wisdom to use that strength for the greater good. Amen."
"Amen!" Everyone said in unison. Once everyone was seated, the Elder began the meeting.
"You all know why I have called this meeting. The Enclave, the greatest threat we have ever faced, has resurfaced and is now in control of the water purifier in the Jefferson Memorial. I do not have to tell you what will happen if they succeed in activating it. Our mission is clear: we must defeat the Enclave and re-take the purifier at all cost." He turned to the Head Scribe. "Rothchild, what is the current status of the Enclave forces?"
The Scribe stood up a walked over to a large digital map of the Capital. He touched the screen, and the map zoomed in on the Jefferson Memorial. "The Enclave have tightened their control of the Purifier, and have expanded their area of control along the river, up to the Arlington Memorial Bridge, creating an effective buffer zone."
"How is it possible for them to move so many troops in such a small amount of time?" asked Tristan.
Rothchild touched the screen, and a new image appeared. It was something Marcus would never forget: the Enclave's flying machine.
"These are known as Vertibirds, pre-war transport and assault aircraft. We are not sure how many the Enclave operate, but they allow the Enclave to have mobility that we can only dream of. It has also made it impossible for us to determine where these troops are coming from." Rothchild's face turned grim. "The combination of the Enclave's air power and ground defenses all but guarantees that a frontal assault on the Purifier will end in disaster."
Rothchild's declaration hung on everyone in the room, and the Great Hall grew quiet. Sarah Lyons was the first to finally speak. "What about the Taft tunnel network that Marcus and the scientist used. The Pride could infiltrate..."
Rothchild shook his head. "The Enclave sealed the tunnels on their end. That is no longer an option."
Sarah sighed in defeat. Again, silence filled the Great Hall, and Marcus could see a look of dread on everyone's face. Mustering his courage, Marcus addressed the council. "What about Liberty Prime?"
All eyes were on him. To his right, Tristan made a grunting sound. "We've never been able to get that damn thing to work."
"But if it could work," Marcus insisted, "it could tip the odds in our favor."
Now the Elder was intrigued, and he turned to his Head Scribe. "Could the robot be brought online, Rothchild?"
Rothchild sighed. "Anything is possible...but we haven't been able to figure out how to power the damn thing in twenty years! There's no reason to think we will have a breakthrough in the next few days."
"Rothchild," Lyons began, "you are a brilliant scientist and a loyal friend...but I am growing impatient! Marcus is right: Liberty Prime could mean the difference between victory or defeat in this war." The Elder addressed the rest of the council. "And unless someone has a better idea, I am ordering the science division to pour all of it's resources into Liberty Prime. As soon as Doctor Madison Li has recovered, we will enlist her help."
Rothchild bowed his head. "Now, to the matter of finding the GECK." He stared at Marcus. "We have found one."
Marcus nearly jumped out of his seat. "You know where it is?"
"Yes." Rothchild touched the screen. "Records indicate that a GECK was issued to Vault 87, located here."
Marcus could see that the Vault was located in the northwest.
"But there is a problem." Rothchild said. "Vault 87 received a direct hit from a nuclear missile during the Great War. As a result, the area around the Vault's entrance is covered with lethal levels of radiation. No one has ever been able to get near it, even while wearing our most advanced radiation suits."
Marcus balled his fist; he was not going to give up so easily. "There has to be another way."
"There is one possibility." Rothchild zoomed in on an area just south of the Vault. "The Lamplight Caverns are located just south of the Vault. Records suggest it may hold a back way into Vault 87. That is your best chance of getting in."
"Marcus," the Elder said, "I know how much this means to you, which is why I would like for you to carry out this mission."
Paladin Tristan's eyes shot wide. "Elder, with all due respect, I believe this operation is too important to be left in the hands of a civilian."
Marcus stared daggers at the Paladin. 'This guy's just begging to have his ass kicked!'
Elder Lyons smiled. "You're right, Paladin Tristan. Which is why I have decided to let Marcus join our ranks."
You could've heard a pin drop in the Great Hall. "You...you want me to join the Brotherhood?"
"Yes. We have studied your actions since leaving Vault 101, and while some of your methods are...crude, there is no doubt you poses the courage, skill and sense of honor worthy of being in the Brotherhood of Steel. If you accept this honor, you will be awarded the rank of Knight, with all of the rights and privileges that come with it. What say you, son of James?"
Marcus sat in stunned silence. He looked at the faces of the other council members, trying to read what they were thinking about all of this. While it was obvious what Paladin Tristan thought, he wasn't sure about the others. His gaze finally fell on Sarah Lyons, and their eyes met. A slight grin suddenly appeared on her face, and she nodded her head. Marcus grinned in return, and held her gaze for a little longer. The entire exchange was not lost on Elder Lyons, who glanced over at his daughter.
Marcus took a deep breath. "I would be honored to join your ranks."
Sarah Lyons began pounding her fist on the table, and was soon joined by the other members of the council (except for Tristan, who just glared at the Lone Wanderer).
* * *
Paladin Glade fired the tri-beam laser rifle, scoring a direct hit on the Enclave power armor. T
he heavy weapons tech of the Lyons' Pride had spent most of the day inside the Citadel's weapons lab studying the captured Enclave tech. The results, troubled the veteran to his core.
"Damn, even with a tri-beam it takes multiple hits to penetrate this armor." Glade placed the rifle on the table, which was crowded with weapons of all types. "Based on these test, their power armor is 18% more powerful then ours. The only thing that seems to go through them with any ease is this plasma rifle." He held up the weapon. "And we only have two of these."
The rest of the Lyons' Pride stood in the lab and listened to the dreary report. Knight Commander Colvin, the young blonde haired sniper, made the sign of the Cross. "God help us." he said.
Knight Commander Dust, an Asian-American female, and the Pride's other sniper, snorted. "Well, I hope your God can get us more plasma weapons, because that's what it's going to take."
Paladin Kodiak, the youngest member of the Pride, studied the Enclave armor with both awe and dread. "You know what's weird? The reports stated that the ghoul managed to take one of these guys down with a shotgun."
Dust shook her head. "No way! The report must be wrong. How can a zombie take out an Enclave soldier with just a shotgun?"
The twelve gauge round slammed into the Enclave armor with a loud crash. The Lyons' Pride sprang into action, drawing their guns and training them to where the shot was fired. Standing in the doorway, with his smoking Terrible Shotgun, was Charon.
"PUT IT DOWN NOW!" Glade screamed.
Charon complied, and slowly placed the shotgun on the ground.
Glade stepped closer and put the plasma rifle in the ghoul's face. "What the HELL is wrong with you?"
"Paladin Glade!"
The heavy weapons tech recognized the voice as belonging to Knight Commander Gallows, the Pride's spec ops (and not very talkative) specialist. "What is..." Glade's mouth dropped open, and he slowly lowered his gun. The front of the Enclave armor had a large gaping hole in the lower abdomen. Dust walked over to the armor, and placed three of her fingers through the hole. "Holy shit!"
Glade turned back to Charon. "How the hell did you do that?"
Charon presented a blue shotgun shell and tossed it at the Paladin. "Tungsten rounds."
Glade stared at the strange round, and it was as if a light bulb went on in his head. "Tungsten. Of course! It's so dense that...where did you get these?"
"From a guy named Flak in Rivet City. For thirty caps you can have one."
Colvin walked over and examined the round. "You mean you just bought these in a settlement out there?"
Charon grinned. "Not bad for a zombie, hu?" He picked up his shotgun and walked out.
* * *
Marcus was waiting outside the weapons lab when Charon walked out. "Making friends, Charon?"
Charon grinned. "Yeah, you know me. I'm very likable."
Marcus busted out laughing.
"So, what happened in there?"
"Well, they knighted me."
Charon snorted. "Yeah, right."
Marcus shook his head and smiled. It did sound a little ridiculous, but he was honored to be a part of the Brotherhood. "We found a GECK. It's located in Vault 87."
Charon nodded. "That's a long trip without the truck."
Marcus sighed. The loss of his truck was going to handicap them - and he really liked that truck. "I know, but we have no choice. Are you ready to go?"
"Lead the way."
The two companions headed for the stairs that lead to the courtyard, but were stopped by an African-American female BOS soldier. "Hail to you, Knight Lincoln. On the word of Elder Lyons, welcome to the Brotherhood. A am Star Paladin Cross, keeper of the ARM, and Seneschal to Elder Lyons. And, I am honored to say, I was acquainted with your father."
"You knew my father?"
Paladin Cross nodded. "I did, and you as well. Long ago I helped guard the water Purifier from the Super Mutant horde. When your father left, I escorted the two of you to Megaton. He was...a noble man. I was saddened to hear of his passing, but from what I hear, he died with honor. He did for you."
Marcus quickly swallowed the lump forming in his throat. His voice cracked as he spoke. "He was brave right up to the end."
Cross placed her hand on is shoulder. "Continue to remember him fondly, continue to tell his story, and continue to do his work. Through you, he shall carry on."
Marcus was at a loss for words, so he just nodded is head.
Cross removed her hand. "But now I must ask you a difficult question, if I have your leave to do so."
"By all means, ask."
"I escorted your father across the Waste; it was the best way I could contribute to his work of bringing fresh water to the people of this land. I would like the honor of escorting you on your journey to complete his work."
Marcus was stunned. "But...aren't you needed here?"
"I have already spoken to the Elder, and he has given me leave to aid you on your mission, if you'll have me."
Marcus took a moment to consider her offer. This Star Paladin Cross certainly looked like she could hold her own in a fight, and where they were going, he would need all the help he could get. He presented his right hand. "I'd be honored, Star Paladin Cross."
Cross took his hand and shook it. "Very good. As long as you stay true to the values of the Brotherhood, I am yours to command." She then held up a very large super sledge. "Now, let us go forward, crush the Enclave, and fulfill your father's mission."