Strong and Strange

The Prydwen

It had been a couple of days of nothing. I had shown Danse my little home and then flew around a little, showing stunts to him. I retrieved more tech for Haylen and did a mission for the Railroad to show I was actually helping them. I only had to charge the board once and it charged fast. By then, I saw the Prydwen and many vertibirds arrive to the Commonwealth. I felt fear rise in me as I saw their firepower. I held it back. I did remember Yoda's words. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering. That was the path to the dark side. Danse put his hand on my shoulder and again I felt that love. I had gotten in trouble but also got grace for having a boyfriend. My master had told me not to do it. I understood and went to that boy. He was about to leave as we discussed a lot about. We did one last kiss and I watched him fly away out of the atmosphere. Never again was I going to do it. For my master's, the jedi's and my own sake. I nudged Danse away as vertibirds came to the police station. They greeted me with nice lines and Danse said we needed to get to the Prydwen.

"Hop on board." He said, getting in himself. I got in and sat down. The vertibird flew east until I saw a big blimp appear in the distance. We docked onto it and Danse and I got out. Ahead was a man in some sort of... captain outfit.

"Permission to come aboard sir?" Danse asked. He was currently in his power armor.

"Permission granted." He said. "So, this is the new soldier I've heard all about?"

"Yes. I've promoted her to Initiate and highly recommend further doings." He said.

"I have seen your reports talking about her. We will look into it."

"And my current orders?"

"Your orders are to stay on the Prydwen until another assignment is done." He said. Danse walked off and I was left alone with the Captain. "So, you're the one who Paladin Danse had taken under his wing. You don't look much like a soldier to me"

"Uh. I guess we'll see about that." I said.

"Well. Paladin Danse had talked about you in his reports and it seems to me you're going to be quite an addition to our arsenal. Elder Maxson would like to see you on the bridge after the debriefing... which I would like you to attend. Ad Victoriam, Initiate. Dismissed." He said, saluting. I went to the bridge where other soldiers were lined up.

"Brothers and Sisters, the road behind has been long and fraught with difficulty. Each and every one of you has surpassed my expectations by rapidly facilitating our arrival in the Commonwealth. You have accomplished this amazing feat without a hint of purpose or direction, and most impressively, without question. Now that the ship is in position, it is time to reveal our purpose and our mission. Beneath the Commonwealth there is a cancer... known as the Institute, a malignant growth that needs to be cut before it infects the surface. They are experimenting with dangerous technologies that could prove to be the world's undoing for the second time in recent history. The Institute Scientists have created a weapon that transcends the destructive nature of the atom bomb. They call their creation the "synth," a robotic abomination of technology that is free-thinking and masquerades as a human being. The notion that a machine could be granted free will is not only offensive, but horribly dangerous. And like the atom, if it isn't harnessed properly, it has the potential of rendering us extinct as a species. I am not prepared to allow the Institute to continue this line of experimentation. Therefore, the Institute and their "synths" are considered enemies of the Brotherhood of Steel, and should be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly. This campaign will be costly and many lives will be lost. But in the end, we will be saving humankind from its worst enemy... itself. Ad victoriam!"

The other soldiers walked out of the room, few glancing at me. I walked up to Elder Maxson.

"I care about them, you know. The people of the Commonwealth." He said.

I sensed it was partly a lie. "I guess."

"I can understand your indecisiveness." He said. "Paladin Danse's reports were quite clear regarding your feelings towards the Brotherhood. And he concludes that you'd be an asset to us. Seeing as he's one of my most respected field officers, you couldn't get a better recommendation. I want you to start taking responsibility for this planet. To start making a difference. In any event, once you're finished becoming familiar with the Prydwen and my staff, report to the Flight Deck for your new orders." He said. "Dismissed." I walked away and climbed to the main deck. I spoke to each of the main officers. The doctor asked me some questions and I answered.

"Have you ever had any sexual relationship with any non human being?" He asked.

"I can't even date." I said.

"Have you had any high radiation exposure as a child?"

"Uh... I don't think so..."

"Have you ever been seriously sick?"

"No." I said.

"Now, last question. Will you fire upon any enemies without hesitation for honor of the Brotherhood?"

"I-" I didn't know how to answer. "I won't exactly 'fire' on them but to defend myself and others."

"Most people say that. Thank you. Now I need to put this in the records."

I walked away, wondering about what he had said. I went to Paladin Danse who was in the Mess Hall. "I've met them all." I sighed.

"It's a lot to take in all at once." He said. "By the way, I've been officially assigned to you as your mentor." He said, smiling.

"Oh... that's nice." I said. "I need to report to Elder Maxson now."

"Alright. Lead the way."

I was fine when I was alone but let him follow me around. I found Elder Maxson outside. "Reporting in as ordered, Elder." I said.

"Good. Since you've done so good even before we arrived here..." He sighed. I could sense his fear in him. "From this moment forward, I'm granting you the rank of Knight. Do us proud. For your assignment... Over there. Fort Strong. A place full of super mutants. Even worse, those abominations are sitting on a stockpile of mini nukes. I want you to clear out the place and secure the nukes. You can use your assigned power armor we'll give you."

"It would be a pleasure to clear out those abominations." Danse commented.

"See that it gets done." Maxson said. "Ad Victoriam, Knight. Dismissed." He saluted. I turned and flew down to the airport.